Holly MatkinRaeford, NC – A search is underway for two masked suspects who kidnapped two children during an armed carjacking at a local gas station on Tuesday night.
The incident occurred at the Lucky Stop gas station located at the intersection of Highway 401 Business and Rockfish Road at approximately 11 p.m. on Sept. 13, the Hoke County Sheriff’s Office (HCSO) said in a press release the following day.
Investigators said the driver of a light blue 2009 Toyota Camry was pumping fuel when two black males wearing black clothing and black ski masks walked over and “displayed a handgun.”
As the suspect held the victim at gunpoint, his accomplice jumped behind the wheel of the victim’s car, police said.
The first suspect then got into the front passenger side of the Toyota.
The victim’s two children were still inside the car when the suspects sped off towards Rockfish Elementary School, according to the HCSO.
The Lucky Stop gas station clerk said the nozzle was still inside the vehicle’s gas tank when the armed carjackers took off, WRAL reported.
The hose was torn from the pump as they made their getaway.
Investigators said the suspects drove down Rockfish Road before pulling over at the J and L Clover gas station to let both kids out of the stolen car.
They sped away again after releasing the two children.
Deputies did not immediately release the identities of the victims, but said the two children who were kidnapped are both girls, WNCN reported.
The little girls were both visibly shaken after the ordeal but were not physically harmed, according to WRAL.
The HCSO noted that they have identified “a person of interest” in connection with the case, but asked the public to contact the sheriff’s office with any information they might have.
“Any help identifying these individuals would be of utmost importance greatly appreciated,” the HCSO said.
