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A federal jury convicted Lionel Robinson, 43, of Wendell, for two counts of Hobbs Act robbery, two counts of using a firearm during a crime of violence, and possession of ammunition by a convicted felon, according to an October 27, 2022 press release from the U.S. Department of Justice, Eastern District of North Carolina. Robinson faces up to life in prison at sentencing, which is scheduled for January of 2023.

“This conviction is a result of the coordinated collaboration of multiple local law enforcement agencies working together with their federal partners to take a dangerous criminal off the street,” said U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina. “I am proud of the work of the investigative team to bring this defendant to justice.”

According to the release, from January 2019 until March 2019, an armed robber committed several robberies throughout North Carolina – sometimes with an accomplice – and targeted Aldi stores in Lexington, Rocky Mount, Fayetteville, Winterville, Indian Trail and Kernersville.

“The robber would ring the back doorbell to the Aldi pretending to be a delivery driver. When an employee would answer the door, the robber would force his way into the business, holding the employee at gunpoint,” stated the release. “During each robbery, the suspect was in full disguise, which included masks, gloves, and reflective vests. During the investigation, law enforcement identified Lionel Robinson as a potential suspect and executed a search warrant at his residence on May 7, 2019.

“During the search, law enforcement recovered evidence relevant to the robbery investigations, and they also recovered a large quantity of ammunition,” the release continued. “Lionel Robinson is a convicted felon and armed career criminal who is prohibited from possessing ammunition.”

Easley made the announcement after U.S. District Judge Terrence W. Boyle accepted the jury’s verdict. The Rocky Mount Police Department, Fayetteville Police Department, Greenville Police Department, Lexington Police Department, Kernersville Police Department, Union County Sheriff’s Office and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives investigated and Assistant U.S. Attorneys Chad Rhoades and Yasir Sadat prosecuted and tried the case.

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