Bryan Stewart

Richmond County Daily Journal

Two Hamlet men were apprehended on Nov. 6 in connection with the beating of a Rockingham teen who was accosted by a group of men blocking a roadway on Oct. 31 in Hamlet.

Robert Lovon Williams, 23, Washington Avenue, Hamlet, and Jeffery Tyrone Harrington, 21, Circlewood Drive, Hamlet, were arrested by Hamlet Police for felony attempted common law robbery, felony inciting a riot, misdemeanor assault with intent to seriously injure, misdemeanor ethnic intimidation and misdemeanor injury to real property.

In addition to the most recent charges, Williams also received three additional charges for failure to appear.

According to reports from the Hamlet Police Department, around 12:20 a.m. on Oct. 31, police officers responded to a fight on Washington Avenue. When officers arrived the crowd quickly dissipated.

Officers observed a black car backed over a fence and a white male bleeding nearby.

The victims were leaving a local grocery store and stated they were heading towards Corning Street when they noted between 25 and 30 male subjects blocking the roadway and, according to reports, proceeded to yell, “white boy.”

One subject ran to the passenger side of the vehicle, opened the door and struck the passenger in the face. Soon thereafter, more subjects attempted to enter the car and began grabbing at his pockets.

One of the victims stated in the report that he attempted to back up to avoid the suspects. He ultimately struck a parked car while backing away from the men who were still chasing them, throwing beer bottles and a metal pipe, that broke the windshield.

The vehicle halted after hitting the fence.

The suspects, identified by the driver, went to the passenger side of the vehicle and kicked the passenger in the face.

The report said that six subjects than physically pulled the victim from the car and began kicking and beating him.

The driver ran to a store and called police.

The victim received bruises and lacerations to his face and head, additionally suffered wounds from being dragged on the ground.

He was transported to FirstHealth Richmond Memorial Hospital.

The three victims in the car identified four subjects, two of which were Williams and Harrington.

Williams is currently in custody at the Richmond County Jail under a $61,000 bond and Harrington is held under a $50,000 bond.

Other arrests reported by the Hamlet Police Department include:

n Frederick Vernard Bronner V, 42, Charlotte Street, Hamlet, was arrested for misdemeanor simple assault. He was released with a written promise to appear in court.

Incidents reported by the Hamlet Police Department include:

n Lawn decorations and outdoor furniture totaling approximately $550 were stolen from a lawn on Austin Street.

n Plants were stolen from the front porch of a home on Rice Street.

n A home on Battley Dairy Road was broken into and a coin jar with approximately $200 inside was reported stolen.

n A $200 mp3 player was stolen from a home on Carr Street.

n A home on Pine Street was burglarized and $1,200 in property was reported stolen or damaged.

n A homeowner on Boyette Street reported a breaking and entering. A laptop, iPod and cell phone were among the items reported missing from the home.

Incidents reported by the Rockingham Police Department include:

n In a local grocery store parking lot, a man reported being assaulted after another man head-butted him.

n On Amber Way, a vehicle owner reported her vehicle was damaged.

n Someone on South Stewart Street reported an assault.

n According to reports, an officer at the Rockingham Police Department reported an individual communicating threats after receiving a malicious voice mail at work warning him to drop charges on an individual.

n A woman at a game room reported her vehicle stolen after someone had taken her keys. The vehicle was later found at an eatery in Hamlet.

Arrests reported by the Rockingham Police Department include:

n Jerry Leroy Campbell, 52, U.S. Hwy. 1, Rockingham, was arrested for misdemeanor driving while intoxicated and misdemeanor possession of illicit medication. Bond was set at $1,000.

n David De Jesus Martinez, 26, Pam Street, Rockingham, was arrested for no operator’s license and driving while intoxicated. Bond was set at $1,500.

n Heather Michele Simmons, 20, Lear Street, Cordova, was arrested for misdemeanor larceny.

n Ronnie Brayboy Jr., 20, Henry Berry Road, Rowland, was arrested for misdemeanor larceny. Bond was set at $500.

n John McLaughlin, 36, Steele Street, Rockingham, was arrested for misdemeanor failure to appear. Bond was set at $400.

n Johnathan Leighton Love, 23, New Street, Rockingham, was arrested for misdemeanor assault and battery. He was released with a written promise to appear in court.