JCSO Seeking Persons Of Interest
SMITHFIELD – Local authorities are investigating a robbery at a Four Oaks area home. The victim in the case was reportedly followed from Walmart in Smithfield to her rural home and robbed.
The Johnston County Sheriff’s Office is searching for three persons of interest in the investigation.
The robbery happened around 8:09pm Friday, November 8. The 66 year-old victim was alone in the Walmart parking lot on N. Brightleaf Boulevard loading groceries in her car. She was struggling to load a heavy item in her vehicle. An unknown male approached and helped her place the item in her car.
The woman indicated she thought she was being followed but did not see a vehicle when she pulled into her driveway, off Devil’s Racetrack Road.
While carrying groceries into her home, two unknown males approached. One suspect indicated they had a shotgun. They grabbed her purse, containing her cell phone, cash, and financial cards. They fled in a unknown vehicle parked at the roadway.
The victim sustained minor injuries.
After the robbery, the victim’s credit cards were used at businesses in Benson, Selma and Smithfield.
The Johnston County Sheriff’s Office said today (Nov. 15) they want to question three persons of interest in the case (pictured below).
The first individual is a tall black male, 18 to 20 years old, wearing a gray sweatshirt and blue jeans.
The second person is a black male, 18 to 20 years old, wearing a gray sweatshirt, black toboggan, and black pants.
The third person is a black male, 18 to 20 years old, wearing a brown sweatshirt.
Anyone who can assist with the identification of the three persons of interest is asked to contact the Johnston County Sheriff’s Office Detectives Division at 919-989-5020. Callers may remain anonymous.
Smithfield Police Chief Pete Hedrick said there have not been any other reports of people being followed from the Walmart parking lot. While the incident appears to be isolated, authorities have stepped up patrols in the area.
