Elizabeth City, N.C. – A man has been arrested and charged with an armed robbery at a Taco Bell restaurant in Elizabeth City, police tell NewsChannel 3.
On November 10, 2013 at approximately 8:34 p.m. the Elizabeth City Police Department received a call regarding an armed robbery from the manager of Taco Bell, located at 301 West Ehringhaus Street.
Police responded to the scene and additional officers set up a perimeter several blocks away.
According to witnesses, a black male suspect wearing a blue bandanna as a mask, a black coat, and blue jeans entered the Taco Bell Restaurant brandishing a black handgun. Police say he approached the counter, jumped over, and demanded money from one of the employees. After taking more than $1,300 the suspect ran away from the business toward Dyer Street.
Officers responded to the Dyer Street area where they first encountered the suspect running toward West Church Street. Officers chased the suspect to the area of West Church Street, where he was contained to a one block area.
Police arrested 22-year-old Michael Lamont Respass of the 100 block of Interpath Parkway in Elizabeth City. Respass was found holding a black coat containing money, and a loaded black .380 automatic handgun with laser sights, police say.
Michael Lamont Respass was placed on a $20,000 bond.
Stay with NewsChannel 3 for updates.