A man with a past record of armed robbery was arrested this morning following a third heist in Weldon.

Deputy Chief James Avens of the Weldon Police Department said Joseph Allen Pierce, 49, has been charged with three robberies in the town, the last occurring this morning at New Dixie Mart 5, the Shell station located on Julian R. Allsbrook Highway.

Pierce has also been charged with the robbery of Family Dollar on September 4 and the robbery of New Dixie Mart 225 on September 14.

This morning's robbery occurred shortly before 12:30 when a man later identified as Pierce entered the store dressed in dark clothes brandishing a knife. He demanded money from the clerk and escaped with an undisclosed amount of currency into a wooded area behind the store.

Avens said in a statement officers Kenneth Melton and Derrick Moore responded, Melton a block away when the call came in.

With assistance from the state Highway Patrol, Halifax County Sheriff's Office and Roanoke Rapids Police Department, Pierce was located and taken into custody.

Lieutenant Chris Davis, the lead investigator in the case, charged Pierce with three counts of robbery with a dangerous weapon.

He was jailed on $100,000 secured bond and given a November 4 court date.

Pierce was released from prison last September where he served nearly 20 years for similar crimes, Avens said. “The Weldon Police Department has been working really hard to apprehend the suspect and tonight's event brought a big break in the cases. Thank you to all of the law enforcement agencies that responded to assist. We are fortunate no one was injured during any of the robberies.”