Wilmington man sentenced for string of robberies

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — A Wilmington man will serve up to 9 1/2 years in prison for a string of robberies in October 2015.

According to a release from the New Hanover County District Attorney’s Office, 29-year-old Derreck C. Edge entered no contest pleas to two counts of robbery with a dangerous weapon, one count of common law robbery, and one count of second-degree kidnapping in New Hanover County Superior Court today in front of Judge Phyllis Gorham. Edge was also ordered to pay restitution to his victims in each case.

According to the release, on October 14 Edge and two other men beat and robbed Daniel Lee Smith. Smith reported the group stole his cash and personal belongings after repeatedly kicking and punching him. Officials say Smith lost some teeth and had bruising to his head and face.

Officials say over the following 13 day Edge robbed The Scotchman, Dollar General, and Family Dollar stores on Carolina Beach Road and Shipyard Boulevard. In each case, Edge used a revolver and tried to cover his face while he stole cash. Two good Samaritans shopping in the Family Dollar beat Edge and tried to stop the robbery, but he was able to escape the two men. However, he dropped his revolver, cellphone, and sweatshirt that later linked him to the crime.

According to the release, Edge was arrested on October 28, the day after the Family Dollar robbery. Detectives with the Wilmington Police Department found him hiding in his girlfriend’s closet in a home on Rutledge Drive.