News Flash

Durham Police Department investigators have charged five suspects in connection with two armed robberies that occurred early today.

Marcus Cofield, 17, of Durham, Jarrien Smith, 18, of Durham, and three male juveniles were each charged with three counts of robbery with a dangerous weapon and three counts of conspiracy to commit robbery.

Juvenile petitions have been filed on the three juveniles. Secured custody orders have been issued and they have been transported to a juvenile detention center. The three juveniles are ages 14, 15 and 15.

Other jurisdictions may have charges forthcoming.

During the early morning hours of October 31 there were two reported robberies in Durham which are connected with an earlier carjacking in Cary.

At 12:44 a.m. there was a reported carjacking of a black 2006 Lexus RX330 that took place in the 100 block of Arbor Way in Cary. This incident was committed by two black males wearing masks and using a black revolver.

It is believed that the carjacking was followed by a robbery that occurred at Holloway Street and Park Avenue where a female victim was approached by four black males riding in a black Lexus SUV. The suspect seated in the rear demanded her purse while displaying a silver handgun. The victim then gave her purse to him and the Lexus fled the scene.

The next robbery took place in the 1000 block of W. Main Street by the same suspects. This time a fifth suspect was mentioned as being involved. Two male victims were sitting in a vehicle in the parking lot when five black male suspects approached the vehicle. The victims were robbed of their cell phones, money, and electronics. During this incident five suspects were seen and all were described as possessing firearms. The suspects attempted to take the victims’ vehicle, but could not due to it being a manual transmission. All of the suspects then got back into the black Lexus and fled the scene.

At approximately 4 a.m., District 4 Uniform Patrol officers located the vehicle in the area of Phoenix Crossing and attempted to stop it. The suspects refused to stop and a pursuit ensued. The suspects fled out of Durham while officers were still in pursuit. Neighboring agencies, including the Wake County Sheriff's Office, Cary Police Department, Apex Police Department and the N.C. State Highway Patrol became involved. The vehicle subsequently crashed in Apex near the Sharon Harris Nuclear Plant. Four suspects were taken into custody. A fifth suspect fled from the vehicle but was apprehended within hours after various resources, including the State Highway Patrol helicopter, were called in to assist. Various other items were located inside the vehicle and confiscated as evidence.

The investigation is ongoing. Additional information will be provided as the investigation progresses.