Clayton man charged in robberies, vehicle theft

Clayton police interviewed three people Friday, at least one of whom is believed to be a "person of interest" in connection with two robberies and a vehicle theft.

Posted 1:56 p.m. Jul 29, 2011 — Updated 3:21 a.m. Jul 31, 2011

CLAYTON, N.C. — Clayton police arrested an 18-year-old man Friday and charged him in connection with two robberies and a vehicle theft. A 15-year-old was also charged in one of the robberies.

Rahiem Mosies Santiago, of 549 Holding St., is accused of approaching a woman on Commodore Street, showing a gun and stealing her GMC Jimmy around 7:30 a.m. Friday. He did not harm her, police said.

Minutes later, an officer saw the stolen vehicle traveling south on Ranch Road and tried to stop it. Santiago abandoned the vehicle at the westbound on-ramp of U.S. Highway 70 Bypass, fled on foot into a wooded area and dropped a rifle, which an officer recovered, police said.

Authorities later found Santiago and charged him with stealing the woman's vehicle.

He was also charged with conspiracy to commit robbery, assault with a deadly weapon and kidnapping in connection with a robbery at Walgreen's, 11306 U.S. Highway 70W Business, Thursday morning. Police said he struck a clerk with the butt of a rifle and forced her to open the cash register at gunpoint.

Santiago was being held in the Johnston County jail under a $1 million secured bond. He told reporters Friday that he doesn't have a job and needed to eat.

"I"m sorry for what I did. I really am," he said, smiling as he got in a police car.

The 15-year-old, whose name was not released, is also charged in the Walgreen's robbery. He was sent to a juvenile custody facility.

Additional charges and arrests are possible, police said.

Suggest A Correction