17-year-old arrested in convenience store robberies

Authorities planned to charge Daryl Devane Wilkins, 17, of 108 Lisa Court in Rocky Mount, with 11 robberies committed during the past 10 days. He was being held at the Nash County jail.

Capt. Laura Fahnestock, commander of the police department's Criminal Investigations Division, said Wilkins had a similar method of operation in each of the robberies.

“He's entering the business, asking for a pack of cigarettes, and then when he distracts the clerk, he says it's a robbery and asks for money and brandishes the firearm,” she said.

He faces 10 counts of robbery with a dangerous weapon and one count of common law robbery.

He allegedly robbed nine stores in Rocky Mount, Griffin’s Food Store on West Mount Drive in Nash County and I & N Mart at Mid Lakes Mobile Home Park in Edgecombe County.

Wilkins was expected to have his first court appearance on Thursday.