UPDATE: Wallace Police identify man accused of Walmart armed robbery

WALLACE, NC (WWAY) — Police have identified a man accused of an armed robbery at a Walmart Wednesday morning.

The Wallace Police Department says Jerry Arnold Flakes Jr, 30, of Sardis, Georgia, committed the crime.

Details as to why Flakes was in Wallace remain unclear, but Police say they recovered a vehicle that Flake stole in Georgia Tuesday.

The incident began around 2:15 am, when Wallace Police received a call about an armed robbery near the loading docks of Walmart.

Wallace Police say they saw a man sitting in the driver seat of a delivery truck. The man placed a gun under his chin and allegedly told the officers, “Either you’re going to shoot me or I’m going to shoot myself.”

Police say they called for assistance from Duplin County Sheriff’s Office, Pender County Sheriff’s Office, NC Highway Patrol, Duplin EMS, Pender Fire and EMS, and the NC SBI.

After four hours of negotiations, the man allegedly turned his rifle toward law enforcement. Shots were fired and the suspect was taken into custody.

He was then transported to the hospital for treatment and evaluation.

Once released from the hospital/mental health, Flake will be charged with the following: Robbery with a Dangerous Weapon, Assault on a Law Enforcement Officer with a Firearm, Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon, Possession of a Stolen Motor Vehicle, Felony Breaking and Entering, Breaking and Entering of a Motor Vehicle, and Possession of methamphetamine.

No officers were hurt.