UPDATE: Twins charged in Williamston robberies arrested

WILLIAMSTON, N.C. – Jail officials confirm the second suspect in a weekend string of armed robberies is behind bars Wednesday morning.

Nine on Your Side has learned Michael Houck was arrested and brought to the Bertie Martin Regional Jail around 3:20 p.m. on Tuesday. Houck and his twin brother Charles were charged with trying to rob a Rite Aid on Saturday night and the Shamrock Restaurant on Sunday night.

Restaurant employees and customers were able to hold down Charles until police arrived at the scene. He was charged with Attempted Armed Robbery but more charges are pending.

As for Michael, he’s being held on a $150,000 dollar bond. His first court appearance will be in Martin County Court Wednesday morning.

---Previous Story---

WILLIAMSTON, N.C. (WNCT) – Imagine this. You’re eating dinner at a restaurant when two men wearing masks come in with knives to rob the place. Do you sit there or fight back?

Employees and customers in Williamston decided to take matters into their own hands.

It all started Saturday night. Police say two men walked in to the Rite Aid on East Blvd. around 8:30, pulled out a small pocket knife and demanded money.

"We determined there were two suspects, white males that fled on foot after taking an amount of money that we're not going to disclose tonight,” said police chief, Travis Cowan.

On Sunday the suspects struck again – this time at the popular Shamrock Restaurant. The end result could have been similar but it was quick thinking of both employees and customers that saved the day.

The suspects tried to flee the scene empty handed but employees and patrons wouldn’t let them go.

"The employees got together, and the customers and ended up chasing them outside the restaurant,” said Shamrock Owner, Thomas Dunning.  

They were able to hold down one of the suspects until police arrived at the scene. That suspect has been identified as 39-year-old Charles Houck. Police have charged him with Attempted Armed Robbery but more charges are pending.

They’re still looking for the second suspect, Michael Houck, who is also Charles Houck’s twin brother.

Dunning says the way everything played out over the weekend says a lot about the people of Williamston.

"They love the shamrock, the customers...we love to have them and our employees do a wonderful job. We're very proud of everyone that was involved,” he said.

Anyone with information on Michael Houck’s whereabouts is asked to call Williamston Police.

--Previous Story --

WILLIAMSTON, N.C. - One man is on the run and another in custody following an armed robbery.

Police say it all started Saturday night at the Rite Aid Pharmacy, where two mens demanded money from the employees at knifepoint. They got away with an undisclosed amount of cash.

Just a short time later, officers responded to an armed robbery at Shamrock Restaurant, where one suspect was already detained by restaurant employees who gave chase.

Subsequently Charles Houck was arrested and charged with Attempted Armed Robbery. He received a $100,000 secured bond and was placed in the Bertie Martin Regional Jail.

39-year-old Charles Houck was arrested and charged with Attempted Armed Robbery of the Shamrock and is also being charged with Armed Robbery of Rite Aid and 2 counts of Conspiracy to Commit Armed Robbery.

The second suspect, 39-year-old Michael Houck, is still wanted for Attempted Armed Robbery, Armed Robbery and 2 counts of Conspiracy to Commit Armed Robbery.

If you have any information about his whereabouts, you're asked to call the Williamston Police Department (252-792-2124) or Martin County Crimestoppers (252-792-8800).