The robberies, Deputy Chief James Avens of the Weldon Police Department said, occurred within an hour and a half to two hours apart, the Weldon robbery occurring around 11 p.m. Tuesday and the Roanoke Rapids robbery occurring around 1 this morning.

Avens said Kristopher Mykal Brooks, 19, first allegedly robbed New Dixie Mart at Interstate 95 of an undisclosed amount of money.
Avens said Brooks reportedly put the gun in the face of a clerk during the robbery.
As Weldon police started an investigation, Roanoke Rapids police received a report of a man entering New Dixie Mart off Julian R. Allsbrook Highway and demanding money with use of a weapon.
Employees complied and the man, later identified as Brooks, left the store, running across Julian R. Allsbrook, Roanoke Rapids police Chief Chuck Hasty said in a statement.
As the suspect description was aired, responding officers spotted Brooks running in the area of Chockoyotte Park as a perimeter was set up. Brooks was taken into custody.
Avens said Lieutenant Chris Davis charged Brooks with robbery with a dangerous weapon and possession of stolen property.
Weldon police are familiar with Brooks and have dealt with him in the past for gun crimes, Avens said.
Hasty said Roanoke Rapids police charged Brooks with armed robbery, possession of a firearm by felon, carrying a concealed weapon and larceny.
He was also served an outstanding order for arrest for a probation violation. He is listed with the state Department of Public Safety as an absconder and has a previous record for assault with a deadly weapon, robbery with a dangerous weapon and receiving and possessing a firearm, state prison records show.
Brooks was jailed on $100,000 bond for the robberies and a $5,000 cash bond for the probation violation.
Avens said he was pleased with the cooperation between the two agencies. “Any time we can come together, work together and a get a positive outcome is always great. Lieutenant Davis, Sergeant Lee Mason and Officer Quinton Godley did an outstanding job working the Weldon case and assisting the Roanoke Rapids Police Department.”
Hasty said, “When we work together, share information and support each other, we can make a difference in keeping our community safe.”
Hasty said the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives was also contacted.