GARLAND — Three people, including two juveniles charged as adults, have now been arrested in connection with a June 26 robbery at a local business that escalated into a vehicle theft, high-speed chase and eventual crash.
Sampson County Sheriff’s investigator said the arrests come after an extensive investigation into the incident.
On July 8, at approximately 3 p.m., deputies and detectives executed a search warrant at a residence on H.B. Lewis Road near Gordon Road in Clinton. During the operation, detectives located and arrested 20-year-old Kemauri Kye Oates, 241 Gordon Road, Clinton, who was wanted on multiple felony warrants stemming from the June 26 robbery.
Following additional investigation and a review of the evidence, detectives established probable cause to obtain arrest warrants for two more suspects, Jayden Hill, 16, and Naquan Blakeney, 17, both of 2990 H.B. Lewis Road, Clinton.The two were taken into custody without incident on July 10 at the Sampson County YMCA in Clinton.
Reports show that Hill and Blakeney are each charged with felony common law robbery, felony larceny of a motor vehicle, felony larceny of a firearm, felony robbery with a dangerous weapon, felony conspiracy and misdemeanor resisting a public officer. They were scheduled to make their first appearance before a District Court judge Monday, but the outcome of that hearing was not known by press time.
According to investigators, the two teenagers are believed to have “acted in concert” with Oates during a robbery that occurred in the 100-block of South Ingold Ave. Authorities allege the robbery escalated into the theft of a 2018 Dodge Charger Scat Pack. Investigators said Oates and Hill fled the scene in the stolen Charger, while Blakeney left in a separate vehicle that was later determined to have been stolen.
Under North Carolina House Bill 834, which took effect in December 2024, 16- and 17-year-olds charged with Class A through E felonies are automatically prosecuted as adults. Because of that law, Hill and Blakeney have been charged as adults and were denied bond. They are currently being held in a juvenile detention facility as required by state law.
Oates was arrested last week on three outstanding warrants, two obtained by the Sampson County Sheriff’s Office and one by the North Carolina State Highway Patrol. He is charged with felony common law robbery, felony larceny of a motor vehicle, felony larceny of a firearm, felony possession of a stolen motor vehicle, felony fleeing to elude arrest with a motor vehicle, felony conspiracy, misdemeanor resisting a public officer, misdemeanor driving while license revoked and misdemeanor reckless driving. He also faces several traffic-related charges filed by the North Carolina State Highway Patrol.
Following his arrest, Oates was placed under a $75,000 bond. He remained jailed Monday afternoon.
The investigation began June 26 when deputies responded to a reported robbery at 108 S. Ingold Ave. in Garland. According to investigators, a neighboring patron contacted 911, and responding deputies quickly located the stolen vehicle traveling north on U.S. Highway 701 at a high rate of speed.
When deputies attempted to initiate a traffic stop, the driver fled, leading law enforcement on a pursuit before losing control and colliding with another vehicle. The suspect then fled on foot, prompting a search involving multiple law enforcement agencies that was eventually suspended because of deteriorating weather conditions.
Investigators said all individuals believed to have been involved in the incident have now been identified and arrested, and authorities do not believe there is any ongoing threat to the public.
Anyone with additional information regarding the case is encouraged to contact the Sampson County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigations Division at (910) 592-4141.