AHOSKIE – Three men were arrested here last week in connection with an armed robbery in the Lowes Foods parking lot.

Oliver Nathaniel Bunch, 36, Colerain, Quayshaun Lamarquis Wynn, 19, of Powellsville and Desmond Lamont Gaines, 21, of Colerain – were charged in the alleged crime.

According to Ahoskie Police Detective Sgt. Stephen White, Bunch was charged with robbery with a dangerous weapon, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, possession of stolen goods, conspiracy to commit robbery with a dangerous weapon and RDO (Resist, Delay and Obstruct). He was jailed under a $250,000 secured bond.

Wynn was placed in jail under a $100,000 secured bond on the charges of conspiracy to commit robbery with a dangerous weapon and RDO.

Gaines stands charged with conspiracy to commit armed robbery. His bond was set at $100,000 secured.

The alleged incident took place at 10:51 p.m. At that time, Ahoskie Police Officer Jesse Mizelle, already aware of an armed robbery committed earlier the same night (Sept. 28) in the county, witnessed suspicious activity in the Lowes Food parking lot.

“Due to his training and alertness, Officer Mizelle was able to determine that there was a robbery allegedly in progress and was able to apprehend one of the suspects (Bunch) following a short foot chase,” White said.

With APD Sgt. Leon Hall and Officer Jeffrey Woodard responding to the scene, Wynn was taken into custody within minutes. Gaines was arrested shortly past midnight after a call pinpointed his location in Newmarket Shopping Center.

“I’d like to thank Officer Mizelle for his alertness and attentiveness and thank all the officers, including responding deputies with the Hertford County Sheriff’s Office, for a job well done,” White concluded.

In addition, Bunch was charged by the Hertford County Sheriff’s Office with two counts of robbery with a dangerous weapon and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. Those charges added another $250,000 to Bunch’s bond.

Hertford County Sheriff Juan Vaughan said the charges stem from an alleged armed heist on the outskirts of Ahoskie on Sept. 28 where two men were robbed of their wallets. The Sheriff said the wallets and the money were recovered.

HCSO Lt. Michael Stephenson handled that investigation.