Smithfield Man Faces Robbery, Assault Charges After Attack On Homeless Man

SMITHFIELD, N.C. — A Smithfield resident is accused of robbing a homeless man, threatening to shoot him, and then attempting to run him over with an SUV during an altercation.

Robert Arturro Gomez, 46, of Barbour Road, was arrested by Smithfield Police on July 26 on outstanding warrants charging him with felony common law robbery, assault with a deadly weapon, simple assault, and communicating threats.

According to police and arrest warrants, the incident occurred on July 16 in a commercial parking lot near the intersection of North Brightleaf Boulevard and Hospital Road.

Smithfield Police allege Gomez approached the homeless victim, threatened to assault him and shoot him, then pushed the man before forcibly taking his cell phone.

As Gomez left the area, police said he allegedly drove his SUV toward the victim in an apparent attempt to strike him. The victim was able to avoid being hit by the vehicle but suffered minor injuries during the assault.

Following his arrest, Gomez was placed in the Johnston County Detention Center under a $50,000 secured bond.

The case remains under investigation by the Smithfield Police Department.