ROCKINGHAM — A Laurinburg pair has been charged in connection with a Wednesday afternoon robbery at the Leak Street Education and Cultural Center.
Police say 23-year-old Shakiyla F. McKinnon, of Jessica Road, walked into the nonprofit children’s center asking for gas money.
After she walked out, they say 23-year-old David Green, of Main Street, snatched a deposit bag containing between $300 and $400 in cash.
According to Leak Street Board of Directors member J.C. Watkins, Annie Pratt of Project Focus started screaming at Green before “she tackled him and took him to the floor and he was scuffling all the way to the door.”
Watkins told the Daily Journal that the alleged thief broke away from her and ran for a vehicle.
“He fell three or four times while he was running, I guess he was trying to get there fast before Annie Pratt caught him again,” Watkins said. “But in the midst of all that scuffling, Ms. Pratt had the wherewithal to get the license plate that was on the van. She was a heroine.”
Watkins said he was going to call 911, but was told someone already had.
Police had initially put out a call for assistance locating the vehicle but, that alert was soon canceled.
According to the arrest reports, the two suspects were apprehended on Brook Avenue.
Rockingham Police Chief Billy Kelly said the information obtained by the witnesses “helped in the apprehension of the suspects.”
Watkins said Leak Street staffers and volunteers were asked to come to the Rockingham Police Department, where witnesses were able to positively identify both suspects.
Green was charged with one felony count each of common-law robbery, conspiracy to commit robbery and possession of stolen property.
McKinnon faces two felony charges: possession of stolen goods and conspiracy to commit felony larceny.
She was given a $5,000 secured bond, while Green was jailed under a $25,000 secured bond.
The pair is due in court on July 16.
Online court records show McKinnon also has a pending charge of obtaining property by false pretenses in Richmond County and several traffic violations in Scotland County. Green has no other current charges.
According to the N.C. Department of Public Safety Division of Adult Correction, neither have any past criminal convictions in this state.
Reach reporter William R. Toler at 910-817-2675 and follow him on Twitter @William_r_Toler.