01/29/09 — Man accused in condoms theft points gun at clerk

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Man accused in condoms theft points gun at clerk

By Nick Hiltunen
Published in News on January 29, 2009 8:30 AM

Manyele Lofton

A Goldsboro man pointed a handgun at a grocery store employee Tuesday night after he confronted him about the six packs of condoms in his pockets, police said.

Ash Street Food Lion employee John Hendrick told officers he was working on Tuesday morning when he noticed suspicious behavior from Manyele D. Lofton, 33, of Workman Street, according to a report.

Hendrick entered the store's security room and began to watch Lofton on camera, police said.

The grocery store employee told police he approached Lofton when he tried to exit the store, the report shows.

That prompted Lofton to pull a handgun from his pants point and point it at Hendrick.

According to the report, Hendrick responded by telling Lofton "to have a nice day."

Lofton left the premises with six boxes on Trojan-brand condoms in his jacket, according to the report.

Police stopped the getaway vehicle, a red Toyota, on North William Street near Hooks River Road, according to the report.

Driving was Lamart O'Dell Bryant, 43, of River Creek Drive, Washington, police said.

Bryant had two methadone pills and drug paraphernalia in his possession, police said, and also charged him with aiding and abetting an armed robbery.

According to arrest reports, the driver was jailed under $40,000 bond, and Lofton under a $50,000 bond, approximately 40 minutes after the alleged robbery.