Man arrested after armed robbery in Halifax County: Sheriff

ROANOKE RAPIDS, N.C. (WNCN) – A suspect was arrested hours after an armed robbery on Friday, according to the Halifax County Sheriff’s Office.

On Friday, the sheriff’s office said it was notified of an armed robbery at a supermarket in Roanoke Rapids. Officers arrived at the store, checked on the victims and secured the scene.

Officers learned that a man walked into the store and demanded money from the cashier and a civilian inside the store while holding a firearm. The suspect was dressed in dark clothing and was wearing a dark face mask.

Officers said the man took the money and fled the area.

K-9 Ivey and Handler Cpl. Elder responded to the area and began tracking in the direction the suspect had gone.

A short time later, it was learned that another local business had surveillance video of the suspect. Through this information, the suspect was identified as Armel Deloatch, 23, of Roanoke Rapids.

Arrest warrants were issued for robbery with a dangerous weapon and assault with a pointed firearm.

The Halifax County Sheriff’s Office D Squad, along with the assistance of officers from the Roanoke Rapids Police Department, were able to take Deloatch into custody as he attempted to escape out the back door of a Roanoke Rapids residence where he was staying.

Deloatch was taken to the Halifax County Detention Center and given a $75,000 bond.