One of the two men indicted on 24 counts related to robberies across the region, has been arrested and will have an initial appearance in United States court Friday in Raleigh.

Court documents show Jacob Austin Evans of Gates was arrested by the Federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives on April 28.

The warrant return document does not note where Evans was arrested.

His initial appearance is scheduled for 10 a.m. before Magistrate Judge Robert T. Numbers II.

Evans, 23, and Jequayves Britt, 19, of Sharpsburg were named in March in a 24-count indictment which charges them in a string of armed robberies across six counties last July.

The indictment includes charges related to the July 16, 2019, armed robbery of The Store Next Door on Fifth Street.

The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of North Carolina said in March the men could face up to life in prison if convicted.

As of this report, the arrest warrant for Britt had not been returned as executed.

The Roanoke Rapids robbery occurred around 9:30 the evening of July 16, police said at the time. 

A person entered the store wearing a mask and showed a weapon. An undisclosed amount of money was taken. There were no injuries.

The robber fled the store on foot and a canine track indicated the person traveled north toward the apartment complex behind the business.