Two armed robberies in a four-and-a-half hour span on Wednesday night have Kinston police looking for a suspect or suspects — and Commander Jennifer Canady from the Kinston Department of Public Safety think they’re looking for the same person in both incidents.
At approximately 6:25 p.m., Wednesday, KDPS officers responded to an armed robbery call at the Dollar General Store, 2008 W. Vernon Ave. Eyewitnesses told officers a black male — approximately 5 foot, 6 inches tall, wearing a black or dark blue hoodie, dark jeans and a blue bandanna covering his face and with a handgun in his waistband — jumped the counter and took an undisclosed amount of money from the register.
The suspect left the store on foot, heading east toward West Washington Ave.
A few hours later, at approximately 11:08 p.m., the KDPS responded to another armed robbery call, this time at the Kangaroo Express, 1690 N.C. 258 North; the convenience store is 3.22 miles away from the Dollar General
The description of the suspect was identical to the Dollar General perpetrator. In this case, though, the suspect threatened the clerk with the handgun and demanded money.
Again, the suspect fled on foot, heading towards Banks School Road with an undisclosed amount of cash.
No one was injured in either incident.
Canady said investigators with her department think they’re looking for the same person in both incidents.
“We do believe the incidents are related, with the same suspect,” Canady said. “There could possibly be two subjects.”
Canady said a video will be sent shortly of the suspect. The Free Press will post the video as soon as it becomes available.
The commander asked the public for its help; if you have any information about either robbery or the suspect’s identity, you are asked to call Lenoir County Crime Stoppers at 252-523-4444.