Two men sought in Fayetteville robbery, sexual assault
Fayetteville police said they are searching for two "armed and dangerous" men who are accused of sexually assaulting a female clerk and robbing two Advance Auto Parts stores on Saturday.
Cortese Tramond Davis, 23, whose last known address was 427 Vass Road in Spring Lake, and Paul Merinord Smith, 20, whose last known address was 12 Timberland Lane in Dunn, are both facing the following charges:
- First-degree rape
- First-degree sexual offense (two counts)
- First-degree kidnapping
- Robbery with a dangerous weapon (business)
- Robbery with a dangerous weapon (employee)
- Conspiracy to commit robbery
Detectives linked evidence from the crimes to secure warrants against "these two prolific offenders," police said in a statement.
Investigators say the two men went into the Advance Auto Parts store at 2400 Owen Drive at about 8 p.m. Saturday and asked for information about an auto part. While one of the clerks began checking for the part, one of the men pulled out a gun and demanded money.
The two robbers then moved two clerks to the rear of the store, and one raped a female clerk while the other held a male clerk at gunpoint, police said. The robbers fled with an undetermined amount of cash.
About an hour later, two men matching the description of the Fayetteville robbers held up an Advance Auto Parts store in Lumberton, police said.
Anyone with information on the whereabouts of Davis or Smith is asked to call Detective J. Benazzi at 910-257-3668 or Sergeant G. Womble at 910-916-2764. Crime Stoppers information can also be submitted by calling 910-483-TIPS (8477) or by visiting the Fayetteville/Cumberland County Crime Stoppers' website and completing the anonymous online tip sheet.
