Local

Woman, brother accused in string of Gaston Co. armed robberies

By Ken Lemon, wsoctv.com
By Ken Lemon, wsoctv.com

GASTON COUNTY, N.C. — Police have arrested a woman and her brother in connection with a string of Gaston County armed robberies.

SURVEILLANCE IMAGES: Woman wanted in connection with Gaston Co. armed robberies

Cassie Patrice Hawkins, 28, is in custody, accused of three armed robberies and shoplifting.

Cherryville Police Chief Chad Hawkins made the arrest. The chief said he spotted the pair in a Walmart parking lot and approached the vehicle.

He said Cassie's brother, 31-year-old Donald Hawkins, had money and a gun in his lap. Another officer and troopers helped get him out of the car.

some text

Police said Cassie Hawkin's latest robbery was Monday around 8 p.m., when she allegedly robbed the Kingsway convenience store on Dallas Cherryville Highway.

The vehicle description matched one given in previous armed robberies Monday in Gaston County.

Police in Gaston County investigated two armed robberies Monday morning that they say are connected to Cassie and Donald.

Officers said at 9:47 a.m., the Ingles on West Trade Street in Dallas was robbed by a white female, possibly with a neck tattoo, with a handgun wearing a black hoodie.

About 15 minutes later, the CVS on Gastonia Highway in Bessemer City was robbed. Witnesses' descriptions of the armed robber were identical to the Ingles robbery.

Police said in both cases the woman was able to drive off in a blue or green Chevy S-10 pickup truck.

Police said before the 14-hour crime spree, Cassie Hawkins posted a Facebook status update that reads like a goodbye to her and her brother's children.
        
"We love them with all our soul and every breath we take," she wrote.
        
Twenty minutes later, surveillance cameras captured her stealing form a Cherryville convenience store, police said.
     
 Her Facebook status then changed to "Lord help us."
       
Police said after that she got bolder and she used a gun during store robberies in Dallas and Bessemer City,
        
She posted a picture of what appears to be stolen cash and the caption, "Making that money baby"
     
In court Tuesday, Cassie Hawkins objected to her $1 million bond.

"I think it's pretty high, but I can't make a bond anyway," she said.
      
 Her brother, who police believe to be the getaway driver, said he did nothing wrong.
       
Donald Hawkins said his sister called him and said she needed a ride.

"I didn't do anything. I didn't rob nobody," he said in court.


Read more top trending stories on wsoctv.com:

WSOC

0

Most Read