WINDSOR – An Edenton man with an extensive arrest record dating back to 1989 is behind bars here under a $1 million secured bond for kidnapping and other charges.

Avery Lamark Holley, age 45, was arrested Wednesday morning by the Windsor Police after they received a tip on his possible location.

Windsor Police Chief Todd Lane stated that Holley was charged with first degree kidnapping, common law robbery, felony breaking and entering, felony larceny, and several other charges.

Holley was unable to make bond and is currently confined in Bertie-Martin Regional Jail.

Lane said that in the early morning hours of Wednesday, Oct. 11, a local business owner in Windsor was working after hours in her place of business. While working, a male suspect, later identified as Holley, entered the business and demanded money from the merchant while threatening her with what he said was a gun.

After convincing the suspect there was no money on site, Holley forced the merchant into the passenger seat of her vehicle and he began to drive north through Windsor on old US 17.

“While riding, the merchant was able to convince the suspect she had money at home, which she would be able to provide to him,” Lane stated. “The merchant did this knowing her husband would be up waiting for her to return home from work.”

At that point, Lane said the suspect and merchant traveled to her residence where Holley forcefully made his victim exit her vehicle and enter her home. The victim’s husband was in the living room when the pair entered and he was ordered to the floor by the suspect, Lane said.

“Once the suspect released the merchant from his grasp, the merchant’s husband was able to reach his handgun and fire several rounds at the suspect. The suspect immediately fled from the house on foot,” Lane reported.

The Police Chief added that the suspect was not struck by any rounds fired by the husband.

Windsor Police Cpl. Frank Ratzlaff and Officer AJ Lanier responded to the residence. After getting a suspect description, Lane said his officers immediately began searching the area. The Martin County Sheriff’s Office was contacted for assistance and they dispatched K-9 Officer Snyder to assist in the search. The searchers were unable to locate the suspect until they received a tip at approximately 5:30 a.m.

Lane said that a tip led the officers to search a vacant mobile home located on Tim Street, located off North York Street in Windsor near Davis Ball Park. A search of that home revealed a male, who matched the description of the suspect, hiding inside. The officers took the suspect into custody.

“I can’t say enough about the work of the police officers handling this case; they never gave up searching for the suspect and were able to use contacts within the community for the tips that led to a peaceful resolution to this case,” stated Lane.

Lane also praised the female victim for keeping her composure under what was a life-threatening situation.

“The victim in this case did a great job of not panicking and was able to verbally control the suspect and de-escalate the situation,” Lane noted.

The Police Chief said the victim and her husband did not require medical attention following the ordeal.

Lane thanked both the Bertie County and Martin County Sheriff’s Offices for their assistance in searching for this dangerous suspect.

While there is no immediate or known threat to local businesses, Chief Lane encourages all business owners who may be working late to contact the police department in advance so patrol officers can keep a check on them throughout the late night and early morning hours.

He added that Holley, after his incarceration for Wednesday’s crime, was served with unrelated outstanding warrants from Chowan County for two counts of common law robbery and three counts of assault on a female.

Holley does have an extensive arrest record, nine pages worth on the North Carolina Department of Corrections’ website.

Holley has served time and has been on probation for the crimes of assault and battery, larceny, injury to personal property, first degree burglary, drug possession with intent to sell, breaking and entering, failing to disperse, common law robbery, and communicating threats.

The majority of those previous crimes were committed in Chowan County. The others took place in Pitt and Washington counties.