BB&T branch robbery
By Jack Stephens
Published in News on August 18, 2005 1:54 PM
An armed man on Wednesday robbed the BB&T bank in the Little River Shopping Center of an undisclosed amount of cash. Later, a man and a woman were arrested by Goldsboro police and charged with the crime.
A man entered the bank at 1326 W. Grantham St. at about 11:40 a.m., brandished a handgun, demanded money and robbed the tellers of money in their cash drawers, according to a police report. The suspect drove off in a white Toyota Corolla.
Police quickly found the car, but the suspect had disappeared.
Police investigators and officers from the patrol division, Housing Authority unit and Selective Enforcement Unit began to follow up leads that were generated by interviews with witnesses.
The information led to the arrest of Jobias Vondrea Artis, 22, of North Drive and Lashanda Novella Varn, 22, of West Oak Street. They were arrested and charged Wednesday night with armed robbery.
A third man, Warren L. Baker Jr., 19, is being sought in connection with the case and a warrant has been issued for his arrest. Baker is described as black, 5-feet-9 and 150 pounds with black hair and brown eyes.
Baker also is wanted for failure to appear in court to answer an earlier armed robbery charge.
Anyone with information on Baker's location is asked to call Goldsboro police at 580-4216 or Crime Stoppers at 735-2255. Callers may remain anonymous and may be eligible for a cash reward of up to $1,000.
The N.C. Bankers Association also is offering a reward of up to $5,000 for information leading to the arrest and indictment of Baker. Confidential information may be called to 1-800-209-2293.