SMITHFIELD — The man charged with taking three women hostage at a Johnston County shopping center following a robbery attempt is now under a suicide watch.

Johnston County Sheriff Freddy Narron says Roy C. Zacharias of Newark, Delaware, is under the scrutiny of jailers. Narron says while Zacharias has been no trouble, he is worried about the suspect's mental state. He has been placed under a 24-hour watch.

Zacharias had his first court appearance Monday. The judge appointed an attorney for him and ordered that he be taken to Dorothea Dix hospital in Raleigh for a mental evaluation.

Reportedly, Zacharias told police that he attempted to rob the Oneida Factory silverware store at Factory Shops of America because he was destitute and living out of his car.

Zacharias remains in the Johnston County jail under $702,000 bond. He's charged with assault with a deadly weapon, three counts of kidnapping and one count of robbery with a dangerous weapon.

A probably cause hearing has been set for February 26.