MAXTON — Two Robeson County men have been arrested in connection with the Saturday robbery of King Chef Chinese Restaurant during which the owner was shot twice, according to Maxton Police Chief Tammy Deese.
Jacquer Jones Gurley, 20, of 1257 Tom M. Road in Rowland, and Kareem Nasai Young, 21, of 107 South Patterson St. in Maxton, were booked into the Robeson County jail at about 6:30 this morning and are being held under a bond of $75,000 and $50,000 respectively. Both men are charged with armed robbery and conspiracy to commit armed robbery; Gurley also faces a charge of assault with a deadly weapon with intent to kill inflicting serious injury.
Officers responded to the restaurant at 9:15 p.m. Saturday and found owner Yi Liang Ni shot and an undisclosed amount of money missing. According to Deese, he was shot in the arm and abdomen. He was discharged from Scotland Memorial Hospital at 1 a.m. on Sunday, according to a hospital spokesperson.
Both men were arrested without incident with assistance from the Robeson County Sheriff’s Office, Deese said. Police were able to compile a description of at least one of the men from surveillance at surrounding businesses.
The family restaurant has remained open as usual with Nancy Gao working behind the counter as her husband recovers from his injuries at home.
“We’ve been here 10, 15 years, never had anything like this,” Gao said Monday.
Deese urged business owners to remain especially cautious.
“It’s been many years since we’ve had an armed robbery downtown,” Deese said. “I think that people rob because they believe the profit will be worth the risk; in saying that I believe you should stay vigilant of your surroundings. Don’t accept large bills; surveillance and panic alarms are very important and the facility should be well-lit.”
Abbi Overfelt can be reached at 910-506-3023.