According to Northampton County Sheriff’s Detective Lieutenant Brenda Burnette, Newsome allegedly broke into the church and was found hiding in a small storage space in the building.

Newsome, along with three others, are facing numerous charges after an armed robbery Monday in Rich Square.

Rich Square Police Lieutenant Kevin Byrd said Newsome is charged with robbery with a dangerous weapon, possession of a firearm with an altered serial number, first degree kidnapping, assault inflicting serious injury and possession of a weapon of mass destruction. He was taken to the Northampton County Jail where he was placed on a $200,000 bond.

In addition to charges for the armed robbery, Newsome also stands charged with breaking into Piney Grove Baptist Church. That investigation is being handled by the NCSO.

Burnette said Newsome is being charged with felonious breaking and entering as well as injury to real property. The suspect allegedly broke a door to make entry into the church.

Newsome has a bond of $10,000 for those charges.

Earlier Monday, three other people were arrested in connection with the armed robbery. Those arrested and charged are: Sharod Perry, 29, of Franklin, Va. along with Rondever Williams, 32, and Lavonda Jordan, 25, both of Courtland, Va.

Those three suspects were also each charged with robbery with a dangerous weapon, possession of a firearm with an altered serial number, first degree kidnapping, assault inflicting serious injury and possession of a weapon of mass destruction. They were placed in the Northampton County Jail on a $200,000 bond each.

Byrd said a fugitive warrant for a probation violation has been served for Williams, who was given an additional bond of $50,000 cash.

On Monday morning, a citizen residing on Pine Street was approached at their home by a female known to the resident. The female then introduced the victim to a male. As the two came inside the victim’s residence, two other males approached. A weapon was brandished and money was demanded.

“When the victim refused he was struck in the head and received a two-inch gash,” said Byrd.

Byrd said the victim was then ordered to the ground and suspects stomped him. The foursome then searched the victim’s home, taking a shoebox containing U.S. currency, a small document safe and several pieces of jewelry.

The suspects fled in a green compact car with Virginia license plates.

In the meantime, the victim reported the crime and a description of the car was relayed on police radio.

Byrd said Northampton County Sheriff’s deputies spotted the car on N.C. 305 near the U.S. 158 and N.C. 305 intersection. A vehicle stop was initiated.

Byrd said the vehicle slowed down and two suspects exited the car. The vehicle then sped off.

Deputies were able to arrest the two suspects, later identified as Perry and Williams.

Byrd said officers continued to pursue the vehicle east on U.S. 158. The vehicle stopped near Ray’s Place where another suspect fled the vehicle while the driver, later identified as Jordan, stayed behind. Officers took the driver into custody. Byrd said a sawed-off shotgun was discovered in the vehicle. Byrd said officers from the Northampton County Sheriff’s Office, North Carolina State Highway Patrol, Woodland, Jackson, Conway, Gaston, Seaboard and Weldon Police Departments all assisted with the search for the fourth suspect.