A man wanted for the armed robbery of a Smithfield business Thursday night led Johnston County deputies on a vehicle pursuit until he jumped and ran.
It started around 7:30pm when a lone gunman entered the AT&T phone store at 1247 N. Brightleaf Boulevard and robbed two female employees of numerous iPhones.
Johnston County deputies spotted the suspect’s vehicle on Highway 70 near Clayton and gave chase. The driver jumped and ran on Highway 42 West near Johnston Medical Center – Clayton. While a manhunt was underway, the hospital was briefly placed on lockdown. The lockdown was lifted when the manhunt ended.
Authorities said the suspect, Brian Lamonte Clark, 22, of Raleigh managed to elude arrest Thursday night but warrants were obtained for his arrest.
Smithfield Police have obtained warrants charging Clark with robbery with a dangerous weapon and two counts of second degree kidnapping. Johnston County deputies have obtained a warrant charging Clark with felony fleeing to elude arrest.
No injuries were reported during the holdup or pursuit.
Photos by John Payne
