Lorne Lynch Tuesday pleaded guilty to two federal counts linked to two robberies of the same Hollister store last year.

The documents associated with the case were filed today.

District Judge Terrence W. Boyle found Lynch competent and advised him of his rights, the charges, and maximum penalties.

Notes on the proceedings in Raleigh show that the court found the plea was freely and voluntarily entered and that a factual basis exists.

A sentencing hearing is tentatively set for the September 29 term of court at a time, date, and location to be determined by Boyle.

Lynch will remain out on bond under the condition that he continue substance abuse treatments.

Lynch had been indicted on two federal counts last year which are tied to two robberies of the Family Dollar store on Evans Road in Hollister.

Count one charges that Lynch robbed the store by means of actual and threatened force on April 5, 2024 and in count two it charges he committed the same crime the following day.

The Halifax County Sheriff’s Office reported at the time that during the April 6, 2024 robbery Lynch, 35 then, was stabbed by an employee.

He fled the store and stole a car. He was apprehended a short time later. He was initially taken to a trauma unit for treatment. 

The first robbery occurred around 8:30 p.m. on April 5. 

Investigation by Sergeant B. Edmondson revealed that Lynch was the suspect in the first robbery, in which he wielded a knife and forced employees to move from one location to another.

He left the store with an undisclosed amount of cash.

The following morning Lynch returned to the same store to commit a second robbery. He injured an employee with his knife but the employee used his own knife to injure Lynch.