ROCKINGHAM — Police have served warrants on a man who is suspected in a string of robberies across three counties in the region.
The Rockingham Police Department announced Friday that it has charged 20-year-old Deonta Maurice Dumas, of Hamlet, who is accused of trying to rob Conner’s Convienece, a store on East Broad Avenue, around 6:30 a.m. Feb. 21.
(Note: Dumas’ first name has also been spelled as “Denota.”)
In the short time frame Dumas was allegedly in the store, investigators say he managed to loose off two shots from a firearm, with one bullet going into a ceiling tile and another hitting near the cash register. No money or merchandise were taken, according to police.
RPD has charged Dumas with one count each of second-degree kidnapping, attempted robbery with a dangerous weapon, assault by pointing a gun, discharging a firearm in an enclosed place to incite fear, and injury to personal property.
Dumas is also accused of robbing Shiv’s Corner, on the corner of Wiregrass and County Home roads, the same morning, according to the Richmond County Sheriff’s Office. No shots were fired, but the suspect did reportedly leave with an undisclosed amount of cash.
Investigators with the Scotland County Sheriff’s Office believe he is responsible for a store robbery in their jurisdiction, as well.
Investigators say Dumas was arrested March 4 during a traffic stop after the RCSO Special Response Team served a warrant at a home on Blue Bird Lane, off of N.C. 38 south of Hamlet, where he was reportedly staying with alleged co-conspirator 39-year-old Delveckeo Lamont Goins.
Goins, of Snow Hill, was arrested at the home, according to RCSO.
Dumas was previously charged with one count of robbery with a dangerous weapon in both Richmond and Scotland counties, as well as conspiracy to commit robbery with a dangerous weapon in Scotland and second-degree kidnapping in Richmond.
Richmond County Jail records show Dumas is being held on a combined $700,000 secured bond and is scheduled to appear in court March 17 on the Richmond County charges. His court date for the Scotland County charges is March 24.
The Scotland County Sheriff’s Office has charged Goins with robbery with a dangerous weapon, discharging a firearm in an enclosed space to create fear and conspiracy to commit robbery with a dangerous weapon. He is being held in the Scotland County Detention Center under a $500,000 secured bond and has a court appearance set for March 14.
Investigators with the Marlboro County Sheriff’s Office said Friday that charges are expected from that jurisdiction.
Dumas has no prior convictions, state records show.
All defendants facing criminal charges are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
