Wilson County authorities last Tuesday captured a Four Oaks man in connection with a string of armed robberies in Wilson and surrounding counties.
Sheriff’s deputies say Frenchie Willie Hooks Jr,, 40, of Four Oaks was arrested and charged with robbery with a dangerous weapon and second-degree kidnapping in a Jan. 15 incident that occurred at Sweet Dream Adult Novelty Store on US 301 South.
Mr. Hooks was found in Johnston County, according to Wanda Samuel, Wilson County Sheriff’s Office chief of staff. Deputies from Wilson and Johnston counties took him into custody.
Mr. Hooks was also charged in connection to armed robberies in Lenoir and Harnett counties, officials said.
Those charges include robbery with a dangerous weapon, second-degree kidnapping and felony assault with a deadly weapon inflicting serious injury, according to court records.
Mr. Hooks is currently in the Wilson County Detention Center under a $775,000 secured bond.
Last week two others, including a Benson woman, were arrested in connection to the Wilson robbery. Teresa Michelle McDougald, 41, was taken into custody along with an accomplice in the alleged robbery, James Winfred Hall Jr., 44, of Wilson.
Ms. McDougald is charged with conspiracy to commit armed robbery, possession with intent to sell and deliver cocaine, maintaining a vehicle or dwelling for a controlled substance and felony possession of cocaine.
Mr. Hall is charged with robbery with a dangerous weapon and second-degree kidnapping.
Officials said Mr. Hooks is friends with Mr. Hall and Ms. McDougald, who are in a dating relationship.
In the Jan. 15 robbery in Wilson, a man walked into the store wearing a hooded sweatshirt and ski mask, according to deputies. The man approached the counter and demanded money at gunpoint. Deputies say the robber ran away with more than $150 from the register.
Ms. McDougald faces felony conspiracy to commit robbery with a dangerous weapon and felony obtaining property by false pretenses charges in Johnston County.
Mr. Hall is charged with felony conspiracy to commit robbery with a dangerous weapon in Lenoir County.
Dunn, Selma and Benson police, Johnston County deputies and the State Bureau of Investigation’s Apprehension of Violent Criminals Team assisted Wilson County deputies in the investigation. Story courtesy The Wilson Times
