Suspect arrested for armed robbery, making threats at Wilmington store

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — A man was arrested after allegedly stealing items from a Harbor Freight Tools store and threatening employees with a knife, according to Wilmington Police.

Officers were called to the store on Carolina Beach Road just before 6:30 on Monday night.

Employees reported that they stopped the suspect, later identified as Robert Hoyt, 32, from stealing a toolbox earlier in the evening. Hoyt allegedly returned to the store shortly after, stole batteries, and opened a package containing a knife.

After removing the knife from its packaging, Hoyt is accused of informing store employees that he would cut them if they tried to interfere. The suspect then left the store with both the batteries and the knife, police said.

A short time later, an officer spotted a man matching the suspect’s description outside the Walgreens near Novant New Hanover Regional Medical Center.

Hoyt was found with the stolen batteries, knife, and drug paraphernalia in his possession.

He was charged with armed robbery and possession of drug paraphernalia.

He is currently at Novant NHRMC for a medical issue unrelated to his arrest. Police say he will be booked into the New Hanover County Jail once he receives medical clearance.