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By LANCE MARTIN

rrspin.com

ROANOKE RAPIDS – An armed robbery here Monday at a Becker Drive pharmacy may be linked to organized crime and Roanoke Rapids police are coordinating investigative efforts with agencies across the state.

Police Chief Shane Guyant said that on Monday around 10 a.m. Spears Pharmacy was robbed by two armed people. No one was injured.

The two men were wearing masks and hooded jackets or sweatshirts.

Guyant confirmed this morning that narcotics and cash were taken in the heist.

On Tuesday, police recovered the vehicle used to flee from the robbery.

“We also obtained viable information that the suspects may not be from this area,” Guyant said. “We are actively coordinating with an out-of-jurisdiction law enforcement agency seeking assistance with information we discovered as part of our investigation.”

The police chief said investigators “strongly believe” that the robbery was an isolated event that is part of a larger criminal operation.

“We still encourage all residents and business owners to remain vigilant daily. If you see something please say something,” Guyant said.

On Wednesday morning, the Hope Mills Police Department on its Facebook page reported a similar armed robbery shortly before 10:30 a.m. in that Cumberland County town located south of Fayetteville.

After the initial investigation there it was determined that three suspects were involved with the driver being the third. The driver was described as a black male wearing all black with purple latex gloves.

The suspects backed a black Kia Sportage into a spot on the side of the pharmacy building where the two got out of the front and back passenger side of the vehicle carrying empty bags. The suspect in all black brandished a handgun upon entering the building.

They took an unknown amount of assorted controlled substances and currency before leaving the building.

No pharmacy staff or customers were injured.

Anyone with information is encouraged to contact the Roanoke Rapids Police Department at 252-533-2810 or Crimestoppers at 252-583-4444.

(Lance Martin is the Editor and Publisher of www.rrspin.com. Permission was received to publish this story.)