Wilmington man gets prison time after attempted robbery over gambling loss

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — A Wilmington man has been sentenced to prison for attempting to rob a local vape shop, according to the New Hanover County District Attorney’s Office.

Tavares L. Cummings, 47, pleaded guilty Thursday in New Hanover County Superior Court before Judge Bob Roupe. Roupe sentenced Cummings to between five and seven years in prison for the crime, which happened Nov. 28, 2024.

Authorities said officers responded to Exotic Smoke Tobacco and Vape at 2325 S. 17th St. shortly before 6 p.m. that day for a report of a robbery and stabbing.

The store owner told police that Cummings, a regular customer, had a knife and demanded the return of money he had lost in one of the shop’s gambling machines. A brief struggle followed, and the owner and his brother chased Cummings from the store after threatening him with a metal pole.

Investigators said the men caught up with Cummings behind a nearby CVS, where they hit him with the pole after he stabbed the store owner. The owner’s injury was not life-threatening, according to prosecutors.

Cummings was treated for a cut to his ear and a broken arm. Prosecutors said the store’s surveillance video captured the attempted robbery and served as key evidence in the case.