Bryant

Curlee

Two men are behind bars on a slew of kidnapping, robbery, assault and attempted rape charges after invading a Hobbton Highway home dressed in tactical vests and wielding weapons, using stun guns on multiple children at the home, including a 4-month-old infant, sheriff’s authorities said.

According to Sampson County Sheriff’s reports, around 5:12 p.m. Tuesday, the Sampson County E-911 Center received a report of a breaking and entering in progress at 6833 Hobbton Highway, Clinton. Upon arrival at the scene, responding deputies saw two males dressed in dark clothing, wearing tactical vests with “SWAT” imprinted on them. The males ran in opposite directions, with the deputies giving chase.

One suspect, Naquan Lavert Bryant, 20, of Raleigh was captured a short distance from the residence armed with a stun gun and a pellet gun. The second suspect, Rashad Eugene Curlee, 26, also of Raleigh, was captured in the wooded area behind the residence by a Sheriff’s Office K-9 team a short time later.

The suspects are each facing 26 felony charges and are currently in the Sampson County Detention Center under $1 million bond apiece.

A preliminary investigation revealed that the two suspects, along with an unidentified third suspect, forcefully entered the Hobbton Highway residence with the intent of committing robbery. The house was occupied by two adults and five children. One of the children, an 11 year old, hid in a closet and called for help, but was soon discovered by one of the suspects, who pointed a gun at her and threatened to kill her, reports state.

Victims included a 47-year-old male, a 36-year-old female, a 13-year-old male, an 11-year-old female, a 5-year-old male, a 1-year-old male, and a 4-month-old female. All are of Hispanic dissent. Their names are currently being withheld for safety reasons.

During the robbery, the suspects shocked some of the victims to include a 4-month-old infant, with a stun gun. The infant was shocked in the face, authorities said. In all, four of the victims were treated and released for stun gun burn marks on the scene by Sampson County EMS, authorities said.

Bryant, of 2162 Spring Forest Road, Raleigh, and Curlee, of 2910-11 Capital Boulevard, Raleigh, were each charged with three counts of robbery with a dangerous weapon; first degree kidnapping; six counts of second degree kidnapping; attempted first degree forcible rape; and conspiracy to commit robbery with a dangerous weapon.

Additionally, both Raleigh men were charged with conspiracy to commit breaking and entering; burglary-forcible entry; two counts of assault on a child under 12; assault with a deadly weapon; two counts of simple assault; four counts of assault by pointing a gun; impersonation of a law enforcement officer; interfering with emergency communications; and resisting officers.

A third suspect left the scene in a grey vehicle prior to the deputies’ arrival. Sheriff’s officials said there was no additional information available on the vehicle or the third suspect.

Sheriff Jimmy Thornton said that search will continue.

“It is despicable that someone would torture children, and for what, a little cash,” Thornton stated following the arrests. “I am thankful that we were able to capture at least two of the three individuals responsible for this heinous act. We will continue to work diligently to identify the third suspect.”

Bryant and Curlee are scheduled to make their initial court appearance on Friday.

Anyone with information on the third suspect is encouraged to call the Sampson County Sheriff’s Office at 910-592-4141 or the Confidential Tip Line at 910-564-5261