Robeson County Man Who Led Law Enforcement on Two Car Chases Sentenced for Armed Robbery

GREENSBORO – A Robeson County man convicted of Hobbs Act robbery and brandishing a firearm during a crime of violence has been sentenced, announced United States Attorney Sandra J. Hairston of the Middle District of North Carolina (MDNC).

SHAWN CRAIG STRICKLAND, age 46, of Maxton, North Carolina, was sentenced on September 11, 2024, to 150 months in prison. STRICKLAND pleaded guilty on April 2, 2024, to interference with commerce by robbery, a violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1951(a), and brandishing a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence, a violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 924(c)(1)(A)(ii).

According to court records, in the early morning of February 5, 2023, a suspect, later identified as STRICKLAND, entered the County Line Grocery located at 1482 NC Highway 71 North in Maxton in the MDNC, armed with a handgun and disguised. He held the firearm on the counter, demanded the clerk give him the money in the register, and stole $1,894. On February 9, when deputies from Scotland County Sheriff’s Office (SCSO) and Robeson County Sheriff’s Office (RCSO) attempted to apprehend STRICKLAND, he led them on a dangerous car chase, at times through residential areas, while weaving through traffic, swerving across the lane divider, driving with his foot on the dashboard and out of the driver’s side window, and drinking a beer. STRICKLAND evaded capture as he drove into the woods.

SCSO and RCSO enlisted the assistance of the U.S. Marshals Service in apprehending STRICKLAND. On April 4, 2023, law enforcement located STRICKLAND, and again he led them on a dangerous car chase, avoiding spike strips, driving into oncoming traffic, and running cars off the road. When his car became stuck in muddy terrain, he exited the car with a loaded shotgun. As law enforcement ran after him, he dropped the shotgun but refused to obey any other commands as he ran through woods and pastures until law enforcement captured and arrested him.

STRICKLAND was sentenced by the Honorable Thomas D. Schroeder, United States District Judge in the United States District Court for the MDNC. At the conclusion of his active term of imprisonment, STRICKLAND will be subject to a five-year term of supervised release. He was also ordered to pay $1,894 in restitution.

The case was investigated by the Scotland County Sheriff's Office, Robeson County Sheriff's Office, United States Marshals Service, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Laure Jeanne Dildine.

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