A Rocky Mount man, Kaleb Joseph Coppage, aged 23, was sentenced to more than 18 years in prison for an armed robbery at a Dollar General store. Coppage admitted to the charges in September 2024. The crimes occurred in late 2023.
According to court details, Coppage first robbed the Dollar General at 2800 W. Raleigh Blvd. in Rocky Mount on November 30, 2023. He entered the store with a facemask, brandishing an AR-style pistol, and demanded money. He escaped with over $2,800.
On December 8, 2023, Coppage committed a similar robbery at a Circle K on 5102 Dortches Blvd. Again in a facemask and armed, he demanded and received money. Unbeknownst to him, the bag contained a GPS tracker. The Nash County Sheriff’s Office followed the tracker and found Coppage in a stolen car. After refusing to stop for a traffic check, Coppage led officers on a high-speed chase, reaching 120 mph in a 45-mph zone. He eventually crashed and fled on foot. A stolen AR-style pistol was discovered in the car.
Further investigation revealed that Coppage was on probation and monitored via an ankle bracelet. This provided confirmation of his presence at the store locations during the robberies. Coppage confessed to both robberies after his arrest and acknowledged stealing the escape vehicle.
“Violently robbing our places of business terrorizes our communities and is a serious federal offense with significant consequences,” stated Acting United States Attorney Daniel P. Bubar. “Today’s sentence demonstrates that we will continue to work tirelessly with our partners to stamp out gun violence. I commend the excellent work in this case by ATF, the Nash County Sheriff’s Office, and the Rocky Mount Police Department.”
Nash County Sheriff Keith Stone emphasized efforts to combat crimes involving firearms and repeat offenders, saying, “Mr. Coppage not only robbed our local convenience stores, but he also used a firearm to terrorize the clerks and lead our deputies on a pursuit that placed everyone’s life in danger. I am thankful for the hard work, dedication, and professionalism that the Nash County Sheriff’s Office, Edgecombe County Sheriff’s Office, ATF, North Carolina Probation and Parole, and the U.S. Attorney’s Office demonstrated in this case.”
ATF’s Acting Special Agent in Charge Christopher Rogers remarked on the risks posed by prohibited individuals possessing firearms, asserting that “ATF is committed to working with our law enforcement partners to identify and apprehend those who try to undermine public safety and threaten our communities.”
The announcement was made by Acting U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina, Daniel P. Bubar, after Judge Terrence W. Boyle issued the sentence. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, the Nash County Sheriff’s Office, and the Rocky Mount Police Department jointly investigated the case, with Assistant U.S. Attorneys Phil Aubart and Lori Warlick handling prosecution.
More information and related court documents are available through the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina or PACER under Case No. 5:24-CR-84-BO-RJ.