Man arrested in connection with armed robbery

An arrest has been made in conjunction with the armed robbery that took place at the Family Dollar Store on Thursday, December 6.

According to Jim Justice, chief of the Lincolnton Police Department, Tramain Searles, 20, of Lincolnton was arrested and charged with one count of armed robbery, possession of a firearm during the commission of a crime, and two counts of false imprisonment.

Searles allegedly entered the store, wearing a ski mask and brandishing a gun, and demanded money from the two cashiers on duty.

"Both women complied with the robber's request, handing over an undisclosed amount of cash," said Justice. "The suspect then fled the building through the back door."

Searles is currently being held in custody at the Lincoln County Law Enforcement Center.

Other arrests made recently in the city are as follows:

.. Patrick Bryant, 32, of Lincolnton, charged with disorderly conduct.

In a separate incident, Bryant was arrested and charged with simple battery under the Family Violence Act.

.. Willie Cullars, 62, of Wilkes County, charged with driving with a suspended license and operating a vehicle with an expired tag.

.. Christopher Hunter, 19, of Lincolnton, charged with one count of contributing to the delinquency of minor.

.. Nico Lockhart, 19, of Lincolnton, charged with one count of contributing to the delinquency of a minor.

.. Eddie Lockhart, 27, of Lincolnton, charged with disorderly conduct.

In other items of information, Chief Justice indicated that the incidents listed below occurred in the city:

.. Eddie Roberts reported that an unknown person(s) removed two fishing rods from his boat while it was parked at his residence on Elm Street. The fishing poles were valued at a total of $466.

.. Michael Smalley reported that an unknown person(s) gained entry to his residence on Elam Heights through an unlocked window and stole $510, belonging to the Lincoln County Band Boosters Club.

.. Lorie Jones reported that an unknown person(s) stole her wallet, which contained her driver's license, Social Security card, and ATM cards. Apparently, Jones left her purse at one of the tables at Hardee's. When she returned to retrieve the item, it was behind the counter but her wallet was missing.

.. Henry Madden, assistant principal at LCHS, reported that two unknown males entered two Wilkes County school buses during a basketball game and removed a bookbag, a coat, and other items belonging to at least three students. The value of the items stolen totaled $350.

Chief Justice noted that all of these incidents are still under investigation.

Anyone with any information regarding these crimes is asked to contact the Lincolnton Police Department at 706- 359-4121.