Man charged in rash of armed robberies across two counties

PENDER COUNTY, NC (WWAY) — The Pender County Sheriff’s Office says a man connected to multiple armed robberies in two counties is now behind bars.

The sheriff’s office held a news conference about his charges Wednesday morning.

Pender County Sheriff Alan Cutler says an armed robbery happened Monday in Rocky Point.

Detective Greg Cromartie says the suspect, Jonathan Omar Kelly, was arrested in connection with this robbery and at least three others.

“There was an armed robbery at the Handy Hugo store on 117 south and Rocky Point about a week prior, so he was charged with armed robbery, kidnapping, and possession fire arm by possession for that location,” Cromartie said.

After that armed robbery, the Han-Dee Hugo on North College Road and the Circle K in New Hanover County were also robbed.

Pender County Detective Mark Lobel says they were able to link Kelly to all these crimes.

“That individual had come in and robbed the business establishment the same way he had another business establishment the week before, which was by gun point,” Lobel said.

Cutler says 911 received an call Monday night about an armed robbery at the Phoenix Travel Center.

Cutler says there was surveillance video of the suspect.

He says deputies set up a command center and that’s how they caught Kelly.