Arrest made in robbery at Presto

ROANOKE RAPIDS — A man released from prison Wednesday morning is back behind bars Thursday morning.

Roanoke Rapids Police Deputy Chief Adam Bondarek said around 1:20 a.m., officers were called to the Presto Convenience Store at 142 Julian R. Alsbrook Highway, where the store clerk told law enforcement a black male with dreadlocks dressed in a multi-colored design T-shirt had just robbed the business. An undisclosed amount of money was taken.

The Weldon Police K-9 Unit assisted in a preliminary search of the area.

Officers made contact with an Emory Street resident and upon further investigation of the home, police discovered a man matching the description of the robbery suspect hiding in the bathroom.

Evidence was collected and Troy Lee Banks, 35, of Pleasant Hill, was taken into custody on a robbery charge.

At that time, Banks told police he was just released from prison the previous day. According to the N.C. Department of Correction Web site, Banks has a long history with the legal system and was released Wednesday morning after serving time for common law robbery.

Banks was jailed at the Halifax County Detention Center under an $8,000 secured bond with a Nov. 18 court date.