Police: 1 In Custody, 2 On The Run After Shoe Sale Turned Armed Robbery In Lincoln County

LINCOLNTON, N.C. — Deputies say one Charlotte man has been arrested and two are still wanted in connection to a shoe sale turned armed robbery back in November of 2021.

Evidence obtained during the investigation led to three suspects being identified including Elijah Levi Whitley, 19, N’Kosi La’Darris Michael, 20, and Jefrey Chase McMurray, 19, all of Charlotte, North Carolina.

Deputies have charged all three men with felony robbery with a dangerous weapon, felony conspiracy, misdemeanor assault by pointing a gun, and misdemeanor possession of stolen goods for their involvement in the following incident.

On November 17th, 2021, deputies say a person and their friend met with a group of unknown men around 3:30 p.m. after arranging on social media to meet to sell them tennis shoes valued at $640.

The reporting person told deputies they all met at their car in a Walmart parking lot on Highway 73 to look at the shoes.

While the person was showing the shoes, police say the suspects pulled out handguns with extended magazines and demanded the shoes and money.

Since the victim did not have cash, the suspects fled shortly after the incident with the shoes in a black Honda.

Deputies arrested McMurray in Charlotte on January 22nd, 2022 and then released him on the same day under a $25,000 secured bond.

Deputies are still searching for Whitley and Michael for their involvement in the armed robbery.

Anyone with information on their whereabouts is asked to call Detective Hendrix at 828-455-6762 or the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office at 704-732-9050.