1 of 2 Suspects Caught for Robbery

The robbery occurred early Sunday in the area between West Rosemary and West Franklin streets, near the rear entrance of Ham's, located at 310 W. Franklin St., said Sgt. Steve Riddle.

Reports state that police were notified of the incident at 5:13 a.m.

Chapel Hill police arrested Lanis Joyner, 24, of 100 W. Rosemary St. at 5:45 a.m.

Joyner was arrested at 310 W. Franklin St. about 30 minutes after the incident occurred.

Joyner was charged with one felony count of robbery and is being held on a $2,500 bond at Orange County Jail.

Riddle said the incident started when the suspects approached the victim, a man in his mid-20s, and demanded his money.

When the victim refused, a knife was presented and the suspects repeated their demand, Riddle said.

Once the victim gave up his wallet and address book, the suspects began battering him, Riddle said. The exact value of the stolen items has not been disclosed at this time.

"(The suspects) knocked him to the ground and assaulted him with their fists and feet," Riddle said.

"The suspects fled. (The victim) was knocked unconscious as a result of the altercation.

"When he woke up he made his way to a pay phone and called police."

At 5:13 a.m. Sunday, Chapel Hill police responded to the call, which the victim made from a pay phone outside of Vespa Cibobuono, located at 306 W. Franklin St.

The victim's injuries were not life-threatening and did not require immediate medical treatment, reports state.

Riddle said the victim suffered some abrasions to his face.

The victim gave officials detailed descriptions of his assailants' clothes and also said one of the two attackers was a man and one was a woman.

"We were able to find an individual that matched the description of one of the suspects," Riddle said.

Once officials identified a potential suspect, they drove the victim to the scene, and he confirmed the man as a suspect, Riddle said.

The man arrested by the officers was Joyner.

Riddle said that by using the victim's information, they identified Joyner as having a possible connection with the robbery.

Joyner's court date is scheduled for today at the Orange County District Court in Hillsborough.

Police are still looking for the female suspect allegedly involved in the incident.

As of Sunday evening, Riddle said no arrests have been made, but he was optimistic that one would be made by today.

"Based on the description of the female, we've got a name on her, and we're anticipating an arrest (soon)."

The City Editor can be reached at citydesk@unc.edu.