14-year-old robs store at gunpoint, takes ‘stolen’ goods to school, NC police say

A 14-year-old armed robbery suspect incriminated himself when he brought the “stolen” goods with him to school the next day, according to investigators in eastern North Carolina.

The robbery happened Sunday at Kinston’s EZ Pass Tobacco shop, which is open 24 hours a day, police say.

“The store clerk advised that an unknown male entered the business, brandished a firearm, and stole multiple vape products before fleeing the scene,” Kinston police said in a May 11 Facebook post.

“On May 11 ... one of KPD’s School Resource Officers identified the suspect from surveillance footage as a 14-year-old juvenile. The juvenile was subsequently located at school and found to be in possession of the stolen vape products.”

The boy attends Rochelle Middle School, officials said.

A gun believed to have been used in the robbery was found during a search of the suspect’s home, police said.

The boy has been charged with robbery with a dangerous weapon, second-degree kidnapping and felony possession of stolen goods, police say.

“Detectives obtained a secure custody order, and the juvenile was placed in a juvenile detention facility,” officials said.

It is against federal law for people under age 21 to purchase vape products, according to the N.C. Department of Public Safety.

Kinston is about an 80-mile drive southeast from downtown Raleigh.

This story was originally published May 12, 2026 at 5:58 AM with the headline "14-year-old robs store at gunpoint, takes ‘stolen’ goods to school, NC police say."