WINDSOR – A second suspect has been charged in the March 31 robbery of a Powellsville market.

Bertie County Sheriff John Holley announced the arrest of 20-year-old Dayquan Bazemore of 127 C Highway 42 in Powellsville in connection with the theft of an undetermined amount of cash from the Red Apple market located at the intersection of US 13 and NC 42.

Bazemore has been charged with aiding and abetting armed robbery and conspiracy to commit robbery with a dangerous weapon. He was placed in the Bertie-Martin Regional Jail under a $75,000 secured bond.

Another suspect, Eking Holley, 24, was taken into custody at a residence on Glover’s Crossroads April 3 in connection with the same heist.

According to the Sheriff’s office, on Monday, March 31, a black male subject of medium build, approximately 6’1” to 6’ 2” tall wearing what appeared to be a mask over his portions of his face, a dark hoodie and camouflage pants, entered the Red Apple Market shortly after 1 p.m. brandishing what witnesses described as a long-barreled handgun.

The gunman reportedly demanded money and as the clerk on duty reached for a telephone to call authorities, the gunman fired a shot in the direction of, but not directly at, the clerk.  The gunman then snatched the entire cash register completely away from the counter.

He reportedly ran on foot across NC 42 into an open field dropping cash and coins from the cash register as he fled the scene. The gunman was last spotted disappearing behind an adjacent trailer park and witnesses do not know if he entered one of the residences or entered a vehicle.

A three day investigation by the Sheriff’s Department as well as members of the North Carolina Highway Patrol and the Ahoskie Police Department resulted in Holley’s arrest. Holley was charged with six felonies related to the heist and he was being held under $100,000 bond in the Bertie/Martin Regional Jail.

At the same time a warrant was issued for Bazemore’s arrest and he was taken into custody Monday at the Red Apple Market by sheriff’s deputies.