Rocky Mount Today

From March 17, 2023 post.

Two Suspects Arrested for Multiple Store Robberies from Raleigh to Nash County

After a thorough investigation and collaboration with several law enforcement agencies, two suspects have been arrested and connected with five (5) armed robberies that have occurred over the past couple of months, including one in Nash County. Deaunti Jermaine Lucas and Michael Frantz Malek Engles were charged with Robbery with a Dangerous Weapon and Conspiracy to commit armed robbery by Nash County Detectives for the robbery of the Dollar General store in Samaria on February 3rd. The two men were also responsible for robberies in Zebulon, Wendell and Raleigh.

As part of the investigation, search warrants were conducted on Lucas’ residence in Johnston County and Engle’s’ residence in Nash County. Engles was located at his residence on Cedar Tree Drive in Bailey during the search warrant, and transported to Raleigh for interview by Detectives. Lucas was also located at his residence in Johnston County during the execution of the search warrant and he was also transported to Raleigh for interview. Both subjects were charged by Wake County and other agencies for their robberies as well. Both subjects were incarcerated in the Wake County Jail. Lucas was given a $750,000 total secured bond. Engles was given a $300,000 total secured bond.

Criminals do not see jurisdictional boundaries when committing their crimes, and this is a great example of why collaboration between law enforcement agencies is vital to keeping our communities safe. We would like to thank the Wake County Sheriff’s Office and their CAAT team, and the other Wake County law enforcement agencies that have worked on this case. We also appreciate the assistance of the Johnston County Sheriff’s Office and the Bailey Fire Department for their assistance with the execution of the search warrants.

Suspects:

Deaunti Jermaine Lucas B/M

White Street, Selma, NC

01-02-2003

$750,000 secured bond

Michael Frantz Malek Engles B/M

Cedar Tree Drive, Bailey

06-03-2003

$300,000 secured bond

Source can be found here.