Multiple robbery offender sentenced

A man who terrorized Craven County with a rash of robberies at the end of October and beginning of November 2008 was sentenced to 18 years in prison Thursday afternoon.

Senior Resident Superior Court Judge Ben Alford gave Johnny Wayne Dickerson, 29, the sentence after a plea arraignment was made.

Dickerson waved his hands and smiled at family members when being escorted into the courtroom in shackles by sheriff's bailiffs.

He showed family members new tattoos on the top of his hands.

After he was sentenced and taken away by bailiffs he told his family that he loved them.

Dickerson was charged with four counts of armed robbery; four counts of conspiracy to commit armed robbery; 11 counts of common law robbery; and 11 counts of conspiracy to commit robbery.

The armed robbery charges, the common law charges and the conspiracy to commit common law robbery charges were consolidated.

District Attorney Scott Thomas said, "his conduct in October and November of 2008 put the lives of a number of people in danger.

"He would steal enough money to pay for drugs, food and lodging and once that stolen money was spent, he would steal more to support his drug habit. This pattern of criminal conduct continued until he was taken into custody."

Thomas said nine of the robberies occurred in New Bern, three of them in Craven County and three in Havelock.

"The three agencies along with District Attorney Investigator Eric Smith worked well together to solve the crimes," Thomas said.

No one was injured in the robberies. A knife, plastic guns made to look like a real weapon, a real gun and masks were used in the robberies.

Co-defendant Nicole Thomas, 24, cooperated with law enforcement officers and showed them where the items used in the robberies were hidden.

She was released to a parent and is expected to enter a plea at a later date.

The items used in the robberies were tossed out of their car into ditches by the side of the road in various locations.

The two were staying at the Trent Motel in Pollocksville while they were robbing various businesses.

Police were following the two after they became "persons of interest" and police stopped Thomas as she was driving in New Bern.

She cooperated with police and pointed the finger at Dickerson. Dickerson was in jail on a probation violation at that time and the robberies had stopped.

Nicole Thomas only went into one store during the spree. At other times, she waited in the car, according to court records.

Alford also ordered Dickerson to have drug treatment while in prison.

Alford praised the cooperation of the three law enforcement agencies.

"This thing could have mushroomed into Jones and Carteret counties," Alford said.

Dickerson must also pay $11,029.60 to victims and $1,012.50 to his court appointed attorney Clint Rowe.

Francine Sawyer can be reached at (252) 635-5671 or at fsawyer@freedomenc.com.

The dates and locations of the robberies were:

Oct. 26, the Fuel Warehouse on Glenburnie Road, New Bern.

Oct. 26, Riverdale Fuel Market on U.S. 70 East, New Bern.

Oct. 27, The Hampton Inn Hotel on Hotel Drive, New Bern.

Oct. 27, Buzzard's Corner on N.C. 55, Cove City.

Oct. 29, Jim Dandy convenience store in Havelock.

Oct. 31, Parker's Town and Country Store, on Trent Road, New Bern.

Nov. 2, Spunky McDoogle's on Glenburnie Road, New Bern.

Nov. 3, Dollar General on Main Street, Havelock.

Nov. 4, Trade-Wilco on Glenburnie Road in New Bern.

Nov. 5, (attempted robbery) Family Dollar Store on Neuse Boulevard in New Bern.

Nov. 5, Domino's Pizza on Dr. M.L. King Jr. Boulevard, New Bern.

Nov. 6, The Hampton Inn Hotel, Havelock.

Nov. 6, The Beech Grove convenience store on Washington Post Road, New Bern.

Nov. 6, (attempted robbery) Bojangles' on Dr, M.L. King Jr. Boulevard, New Bern.

Nov. 6, New River Pottery on Dr. M.L. King Jr. Boulevard, New Bern.