Man who was one of six convicted in 2012 shooting death of delivery driver now charged in armed robbery of Taco Bell
WILMINGTON, NC (WECT) - A man, who was one of six people convicted in connection to the 2012 shooting death of a delivery driver, now faces multiple armed robbery and kidnapping charges in New Hanover County.
According to online records, Nathaniel Thomas Lawrence, 22, will appear in a New Hanover County court Tuesday on the following charges.
- five counts of robbery with a dangerous weapon
- five counts of second-degree kidnapping
- three counts of safecracking
- four counts of conspiring to commit robbery with a dangerous weapon
He was booked under a $1.02 million secured bond.
A Wilmington Police Department spokesperson said that Lawrence was wanted in connection to the armed robbery of the Taco Bell located at 2355 S. 17th Street on Nov. 11. 2017.
An employee told police that he was taking a smoke break outside of the restaurant when he saw two suspects approaching while armed with a handgun. The employee said he tried to close the door quickly but the suspects were able to force their way in.
The employee was led to the back kitchen where another employee was working. The suspects fled with phones and cash.
In 2012, Lawrence was one of six people convicted in the shooting death of Zhen Bo Liu.
Liu, 60, was found dead, bleeding from his neck, in his vehicle in the middle of the road near 13th and Queen streets on June 14, 2012.
After an investigation, Wilmington police determined the six suspects ordered approximately $48 worth of food from China King, shot Liu, took the food, went back to a house and sat down to eat together. Cornell Haugabook and Mustafaa Friend were convicted of murder.
Lawrence was sentenced to 20 to 36 months in prison for conspiracy to commit robbery with a dangerous weapon in the case.
According to the NC Department of Public Safety website, Lawrence's prison sentence ended on Nov. 22, 2016.
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