A routine afternoon at a Garner Home Depot turned into something closer to an action movie on Tuesday, when police say a shoplifting attempt escalated into a robbery involving a machete. According to Garner police, store loss-prevention staff reported two people stuffing more than $1,000 worth of merchandise into a shopping cart just before 3:30 p.m. at the Timber Drive location. As the pair tried to take off, one suspect allegedly pulled out a machete, prompting a robbery investigation instead of a simple theft report.
Officers later tracked down and arrested 23-year-old Dylaney Darnes, while the second person involved is still being sought. Police say no customers or employees were hurt during the incident.
As reported by CBS17, warrants identify Darnes as the person accused of brandishing the machete and charge him with felony robbery with a dangerous weapon. He also faces misdemeanor counts of resisting a public officer and possession of drug paraphernalia. According to the outlet, Darnes has an outstanding felony warrant tied to an alleged aiding and abetting role in a March robbery and is being held at the Wake County Detention Center. Investigators say the case remains active as officers continue working to track down the second suspect.
Where it happened
The incident unfolded inside the Home Depot at the Garner Towne Square shopping area on Timber Drive near U.S. 70. The store, listed at 2540 Timber Drive in Garner, is detailed on The Home Depot website. Police say the store’s loss-prevention team first flagged the situation after seeing two people load a cart with more than $1,000 in merchandise.
Charges and court schedule
According to warrants, Darnes is accused of pointing the machete while fleeing, leading to the felony charge of robbery with a dangerous weapon. He is scheduled for a first court appearance on Wednesday, May 6, CBS17 reports. The complaints also list misdemeanor charges of resisting a public officer and possession of drug paraphernalia. Prosecutors are expected to review the case file as detectives continue working to identify and locate the second suspect.
Police request tips
Garner police are asking anyone who witnessed the incident or who may have relevant surveillance footage to contact the department. Officers have not yet released a description of the second suspect, but they emphasize that community tips are an important piece of the investigation. Information can be shared through the Garner Police Department’s nonemergency line or official tip channels…