2 arrested in connection with robbery, 3rd sought

Two Jacksonville residents have been arrested and police are searching for a third suspect in an early-morning robbery.

At approximately 1 a.m., Jacksonville police officers responded to a robbery at the Kangaroo Express, located at 1731 Lejeune Blvd., according to a release from the department. There they were told that an unidentified black male entered the rear passenger area of the victim’s vehicle.

The suspect then demanded money and other items while striking each in the head with a handgun several times, according to the release. One of the victims escaped the vehicle and ran into the Kangaroo to call the police.

No injuries were reported.

The suspect left the victims’ vehicle and left the scene in a white KIA occupied by a white male and female, which officers issued an alert for other officers to be on the look out for, according to the release. A short time later, the car was involved in a pursuit with the North Carolina State Highway Patrol and Maysville police in Jones County.

When the vehicle crashed, one suspect fled the vehicle.

Lauren Dail, 20, of Winter Road, and Kegan Van Damke, 16, of Villa Drive, were charged with aid and abet armed robbery and conspiracy to commit armed robbery.

Bond was set for $100,000 each.