Pair headed to prison for violent home invasion in Wilmington

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — A man responsible for a violent home invasion in Wilmington back in 2015 pleaded guilty Monday.

George Winston Kirby, III, 52, was sentenced to at least 5 years in prison for the following charges: Robbery with a Dangerous Weapon and Financial Card Theft. Stephanie Armstrong, 47, is already serving at least 9 years sentenced for her role in the crimes. She was sentenced in March of 2016.

On October 5, 2015, Kirby and Armstrong went to the victim’s residence on Ilex Drive and knocked on the door. Before the door was opened, Kirby fired a shot through the door that struck the victim in the face. The two then forced their way into the house and tied up the victim with a telephone cord. They stole credit cards and cash from his wallet and left the residence. The victim was able to contact law enforcement after the robbery and was taken to New Hanover Regional Hospital. He was treated and released the following day.

Investigators with the New Hanover County Sheriff’s Office received a tip that Armstrong and Kirby were overheard discussing the crime. Both of them were also captured on surveillance cameras in gas stations, at ATMs and at local Walmart stores using or attempting to use the victim’s stolen credit card. Upon her arrest, Armstrong confessed to their roles in the home invasion and the later use of the victim’s credit cards.