Teenager charged in robbery
By Ethan Smith
Published in News on August 21, 2016 1:45 AM
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Ervin Lee Waters Jr.
A 19-year-old was arrested Thursday in connection with the July 11 armed robbery of the Handy Mart at 2495 U.S. 13 North.
Ervin Lee Waters Jr., 19, of 133 Mill Creek Court, was arrested and charged with attempted first degree murder, first degree kidnapping, robbery with a dangerous weapon and felony breaking or entering.
Waters was given a $250,000 secured bond and put in the Wayne County Detention Center.
An employee of the Handy Mart on U.S. 13 North was shot three times during the armed robbery that happened on July 11. The clerk, Jamie Lee, was reportedly forced back inside the store after it closed by three unknown black men and forced into a corner of the store.
Lee was reportedly shot when he attempted to flee the scene of the robbery, being struck three times by bullets from a small caliber handgun.
The three men reportedly took lottery tickets and tobacco products. Waters was allegedly one of those men.
According to a press release from the Wayne County Sheriff's Office, Waters was arrested when he was found inside the residence at 133 Mill Creek Court in a back bedroom.
His arrest was the culmination of a month-long joint investigation by the Wayne County Sheriff's Office and the North Carolina Lottery Commission Investigation Department.
Warrants were secured for Waters' arrest on August 10.
One other suspect has been named in the robbery and is being actively sought.
Tyquellas Jaire Thompson, 18, has outstanding warrants for his arrest in this case. Thompson is reportedly 5 feet 9 inches tall, weighs 220 pounds and goes by the name "Ray."
Thompson is also wanted on charges of attempted murder, armed robbery, kidnapping and breaking and entering.
The investigation into the case is ongoing, and the Wayne County Sheriff's Office is asking for the public's assistance in solving the case.
Detectives Anthony Mullis and Lt. Shawn Harris are assigned to the case. Mullis can be reached at 919-731-1394, and Harris can be reached at 919-731-1480.