2 Arrests Made in Wake Restaurant Robberies

RALEIGH, N.C. — Two men have been arrested in connection with a series of armed robberies at fast-food restaurants in Wake County since last March.

Everett Earl Lynes, 48, was taken into custody following a chase involving Raleigh police Tuesday that ended on East Davie Street Tuesday. He was charged with 12 counts of robbery with a dangerous weapon, five counts of second-degree kidnapping, one count of fleeing to elude arrest and one count of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.

In addition, a failure to appear warrant was served on Lynes for a traffic offense case.

Lynes' nephew, Jucquin Norman Davis, 30, was arrested without incident overnight at a residence at 2904 Faversham Place. He is charged with seven counts of robbery with a dangerous weapon and two counts of second-degree kidnapping.

Both men were charged Wednesday in connection with two hold-ups in Cary. They are being held in the Wake County Jail on $1 million bonds.

According to police, the robbery pattern included five crimes at Bojangles restaurants, three at Subway restaurants and one each at Burger King, Hardees, Kentucky Fried Chicken, Taco Bell, Quizno’s and Wendy’s restaurants.

In some cases, police said both men were involved and in others, only one of them was seen.

A series of surveillance photos from the robberies elicited tips from the public that led to the arrests, police said.

Investigators were following Lynes Tuesday -- his birthday -- when he led them on a chase on the Interstate 440 Beltline and through downtown Raleigh.

"It demonstrates the value of getting those photos before the public and the value, the contribution, the public often makes to solving what has been in this case a very difficult case," Raleigh Police Department spokesman Jim Sughrue said.