Edgecombe man wanted on robbery, assault charges

Local News

October 22, 2009

FROM STAFF REPORTS

An Edgecombe County man is wanted by Edgecombe County Sheriff's deputies for allegedly assaulting two other people at his residence on Sunday.

James Layton Boyette, 25, of an N.C. 111 North address near Hobgood, faces charges of robbery with a dangerous weapon, assault with a deadly weapon intending to kill, assault with a deadly weapon and communicating threats.

Edgecombe County Sheriff James Knight said his office received the call on the assault and robbery at 5:50 a.m. Sunday. The incident occurred on N.C. 111 near the Martin County line.

Knight said that the two victims "stated they were asleep when they awoke to someone screaming. One of the victims awoke to Boyette pointing a rifle at him."

Boyette allegedly pulled the trigger Knight said, but the gun did not fire. The sheriff said Boyette then allegedly beat one victim with the rifle, then taking money out of his pocket. The suspect then allegedly pointed the gun at the other victim and threatened him, Knight said.

Both victims were able to run away from the scene later, Knight said. The police report of the incident stated that $386 in cash was taken.