Wake man convicted in string of hold-ups

A federal jury has convicted a Wake County man in connection with a series of armed robberies last year, authorities said Monday.

Antonio Rashad Dovine, 24, was found guilty last Thursday of six counts each of robbing a business engaged in interstate commerce and possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, three counts of possession of a firearm by a felon and one count of conspiracy. He faces up to life in prison when he is sentenced in February.

Dovine was arrested in May 2011 after an attempted robbery at a BP station on New Bern Road in Raleigh.

Raleigh police have arrested three men and a woman in connection with a string of armed robberies at hotels, a fast food restaurant and convenience stores in April.

Investigators also linked Dovine to April 14, 2011, robberies at an Exxon at 1200 New Bern Ave. and a McDonald's at 5016-100 Spring Forest Road, April 22, 2011, robberies at a Hampton Inn at 1001 Wake Town Drive and a Courtyard by Marriott at 3908 Arrow Drive and an April 27, 2011, robbery at a Wingate Inn at 2610 Westinghouse Blvd.

Three co-defendants in the case, Erika Ciara McClarin, Jessie James Vickers and Micheal Pryor, already pleaded guilty and are awaiting sentencing.