Dudley couple will face charges
By John Joyce
Published in News on May 11, 2015 1:46 PM
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A Dudley couple are charged with attempted murder and robbery following a string of incidents that took place in Wayne County between early April and May 2.
Derwood Eugene Smith III, 24, 202 Westpointe Drive, and Amy Caroline Smith, 27, 183 McCullen Lane, each face charges of attempted first-degree murder, common law robbery, larceny of a firearm and two counts each of possession of stolen goods and robbery with a dangerous weapon.
The suspects turned themselves in to the Wayne County Sheriff's Office Thursday after deputies made numerous attempts to locate them, a press release said.
"These two are boyfriend and girlfriend, despite the fact they have the same last name," Maj. Tom Effler said.
According to the press release, on April 7 the couple met a man out in the county to buy some property. Before any money was exchanged, the seller handed Smith the property while he sat in his car. Smith started to drive off and the victim tried to hold on to his property and was dragged for several feet sustaining injuries. The property was valued at $700.
In a separate incident April 21, a homeowner on Genoa Road in Dudley reported $20,030 in property stolen from his residence. The man, 83 years old, listed jewelry and other property. A second home along Genoa Road was ransacked April 26, during which a 12-gauge shotgun was stolen.
And lastly, on May 2, a victim identified as Timothy Jerome Whitfield, 35, was shot during a robbery attempt along Casey Mills Road. According to the press release, Whitfield and a friend were in a parked car when the Smiths attempted to rob him. He was shot with a 12-gauge shotgun.
Wayne County EMS responded and transported Whitfield to Wayne Memorial Hospital. He was later airlifted to Vidant Medical Center in Greenville, where he is expected to make a full recovery.
"His injuries were, we'll just say, it was not deadly. He will recover," Effler said.
Several detectives worked the related cases and several attempts to locate the Smiths were made throughout the investigation.
Then, on May 7, the suspects arrived at the Wayne County Sheriff's Annex and were taken into custody and charged.
Smith and Ms. Smith were both given a bond of $840,000 secured and placed in the Wayne County Detention Center. Both are due to appear in Wayne County District Court May 26