RALEIGH, N.C. — A federal grand jury issued indictments against two men in connection with a series of grocery store and bank robberies over the past two years.

Travis Centel Groves and Anthony Dale Sanders are accused of holding up nine banks and grocery stores over a two-year period. The robberies took place in Johnston, Wake and Wilson counties.

Authorities accuse the men of using a gun in seven of the nine robberies. In two of the incidents, the men allegedly fired their weapons. Senita Farmer was shopping at one of the stores when it was robbed last year.

"A guy came in and pulled out a gun, and we all ran to the back of the store," she said. "You never know if someone is hiding behind the store. Now you just have to be careful."

Authorities say no one was hurt in any of the robberies. The two men could face up to life in prison if they are convicted on the 22 criminal counts they face.