Roanoke Rapids police are investigating an armed robbery and attempted carjacking which occurred Thursday night.

Chief Bobby Martin said the robbery occurred shortly after 10:15 p.m. at Jimmy’s convenience store near the Roanoke Avenue Food Lion.

Two men entered the business with weapons and demanded money from the clerk. The two suspects exited the store and ran on foot. No further descriptions of the men were immediately available.

Lieutenant J. Baggett arrived in the area and noticed a vehicle in the middle of the road on Hamilton Street.

Police learned the two suspects forced the vehicle to stop in an attempt to carjack the vehicle to flee the area. The two suspects were unsuccessful in their attempt to steal the car. The driver and his family were not injured and the suspects were not located.

The police department continues to investigate and encourages anyone with information to call 252-533-2810 or the Crimestoppers at 252-583-4444.

“The police department would like to thank the Halifax County Sheriff’s Office and North Carolina Highway State Highway patrol for their assistance with this incident,” Martin said.

Unrelated drug arrest

During the robbery call, Officer K. Williams encountered a person running from the area —  Khiyelle Dent, 19, of Halifax.

Dent was stopped at Second and Jackson streets. Officers located 8 grams of marijuana and a digital scale.

Dent faces charges of possession of schedule VI and possession of drug paraphernalia.

He received a March 10 court date.

Police do not believe Dent was connected to the robbery.