The Roanoke Rapids Police Department reported the following, according to Captain Jamie Hardy:
On Tuesday officers responded to an armed robbery call at ZAZA Tobacco & Vape in the 300 block of Roanoke Avenue.
The victim told officers two people described as Black males entered the store wearing masks and brandishing firearms.
They requested money and left after getting currency and several items from the store. They were last seen heading west.
A canine track was performed by Detective C. Batchelor and officers spoke with different people in the area about the crime.
Officers developed possible suspects after a review of surveillance video.
On Wednesday an off-duty officer called and told officers working two males were walking across the Gaston bridge into Roanoke Rapids. One of them appeared to have a firearm in his hand.
Lieutenant D. Hundley responded to the area and the two men fled. Officers caught them after a brief foot chase.
The suspects, both juveniles and each in possession of firearms, were confirmed as the ones responsible for the Tuesday robbery. One of the weapons had been reported as stolen.
Officers turned the 17-year-olds over to juvenile services Thursday.
They face charges of carrying a concealed weapon, resist, obstruct, and delay, possession of stolen property, possess a firearm with an altered/removed serial number and robbery with a dangerous weapon.
Cocaine trafficking
On Wednesday night officers assigned to the narcotics unit stopped a man identified as Darius Robertson for operating a dirt bike on the roadway.
During the stop Hardy said officers observed the man drop something on the ground. When officers went to investigate Robertson attempted to retrieve the item, which ended up being 58 grams of powdered cocaine.
Robertson was charged with possession with intent to sell/deliver cocaine, felony possession of cocaine, trafficking in cocaine, possession of drug paraphernalia, and resist, delay and obstruct.
Robertson received an $80,000 secured bond and September 22 court date.
Information sought
Hardy said the police department is investigating a hit and run which occurred Wednesday in the area of Highway 158 and Premier Boulevard.
The suspect vehicle appears to be a silver Infiniti SUV.
The SUV should have damage to the front left corner side of the fender.
Police are investigating a case where a person stole a phone from an employee’s cart at Walmart.
https://rrspin.com/news/6423-rrpd-roundup-juveniles-charged-in-store-heist-cocaine-trafficking.html#sigProId990fccc07c
Anyone with any information about these cases is encouraged to contact the police department at 252-533-2810 or Crimestoppers at 252-583-4444.
