Raleigh suspect may be linked to Wilco shooting death

Raleigh, N.C. — Police said the suspect who shot a clerk at the check-cashing business in Raleigh this week may be responsible for the murder of a clerk at a Wilco convenience store earlier this year, Raleigh Police spokesman Jim Sughrue said Friday.

The suspect has been described as a black man with a light to medium complexion. He appeared to be about 5-foot-11 with an athletic build.

Investigators believe the suspect stakes out businesses he plans to rob. Police are warning members of the public, especially those who work in restaurants and small stores, that the suspect may strike again.

“He is armed. He has shot people in the past and we believe he has committed a homicide as well. So this person is extremely dangerous and we want the public to be aware of that,” RPD Sgt. Kevin Carswell said.

Stephanie Powell Anderson, 39, was killed inside a Trade Wilco convenience store on Trawick Road in the early hours of April 10.

Family members said Anderson opened the store each day at 4:30 a.m. and that her boyfriend found her slumped behind the counter when he stopped to check on her.

The suspect is also accused of robbing the Mexico Lindo check-cashing business on Wednesday. Surveillance video showed a man dressed in green camouflage entering the business. A mask covered the lower half of his face, and he carried a handgun.

He shot a clerk, Modesta Fernandez-Lucas, 25, multiple times and then jumped over the counter, police said. He fled from the scene on foot.

Fernandez-Lucas was taken to WakeMed, where she was listed in fair condition Thursday morning. Officials said her injuries were non-life-threatening.

Authorities also believe the suspect could be the same man in several other robberies earlier this year.

He is suspected of robbing three Subway restaurants, located at Durant Road, Capital Boulevard and Six Forks Road, between January and early May.

The suspect may also be responsible for the armed robberies of a Bojangles’ restaurant in early June and the Capital Food Mart, at 2929 Capital Blvd., on May 24.

A reward will be provided for information that materially assists the investigation of the case. Anyone who thinks they might know the identity of the suspect is asked to call the Raleigh Police Department’s Detective Division at 919-890-3555 or Crime Stoppers at 919-226-CRIME.

WilcoHess, which operates the convenience store Anderson worked for, has also offered a $25,000 reward in the case.