Artis, left, and Pender.

The Halifax County Sheriff's Office responded to the convenience store on Highway 903 late this morning after receiving a robbery of a person call, Sheriff Wes Tripp said.

Deputies learned a man brandished a handgun and took currency from the victim.

The suspects left in a purple van and Detective B.C. Griffin identified them as Damion Artis, 27, of Weldon, and Matthew Pender, 21, of Rocky Mount.

After leaving Travel World, Tripp said the men reportedly went to Rocky Mount where similar crimes were committed. The relationship between the two is not immediately clear, the sheriff said this evening.

With assistance from Rocky Mount police, the state Highway Patrol and state Probation and Parole, Griffin located Artis and Pender at Dollar General in Enfield. They were arrested without trouble.

They face charges of robbery with a dangerous weapon and conspiracy to commit robbery with a dangerous weapon.

Artis received a $250,000 bond and Pender a $50,000 bond.

They both have August 19 court dates.

Tripp said he was pleased with the outcome. “Everyone was working together.”