One suspect in armed robberies which have occurred over the last several weeks is in custody, Roanoke Rapids police Chief Chuck Hasty confirmed in a brief statement.

The capture of the suspect involved a chase, Hasty also confirmed.

The name of the suspect and other details was not immediately available as of this report.

More information is expected to be released later today, the chief said in the statement.

The robberies are as follows:

Tuesday

Around 1:30 a.m. at New Dixie on Julian R. Allsbrook Highway near Cracker Barrel.

One customer outside the store was pistol-whipped and robbed of their cellphone and wallet.

The store was robbed of an undisclosed amount of money and the clerk was assaulted.

A customer inside the store was robbed of their wallet.

September 28

Around 11 p.m. at New Dixie Mart in the 1100 block of East Tenth Street.

When officers arrived employees told them a person entered the store armed with a handgun and demanded money as well as the purse of a customer who was in the business.  

Both the clerk and customer complied with demands of the suspect.

Hasty issued a correction today saying investigators in the case believe the suspect stood 5-feet, 6-inches tall and not 4 feet, 6-inches tall as the police department initially reported.

September 26

The robbery occurred at New Dixie Mart in the 100 block of Julian R. Allsbrook Highway around 12:45 a.m. The store is traditionally known as Presto.

One of the suspects struck the employee in the head with a handgun. The suspects proceeded to take money and cigarettes.  

When the suspects were exiting the store, one returned back to the counter and shot the employee who had initially been struck in the head with the weapon.

September 17 - Weldon robbery

Armed robbery at Family Dollar in the 200 block of East Second Street.

The robbery, in which an undisclosed amount of money was taken, occurred shortly before 8:30 p.m.

Both suspects had handguns.