A woman from Brooklyn, New York, has been sentenced to four years in prison for her involvement in an armed robbery at a Family Dollar store in Swan Quarter, North Carolina. Victoria Michelle Cyren Clarke, 32, pled guilty to charges of interference with commerce by robbery and aiding and abetting on November 13, 2024.
Court documents reveal that Hyde County Sheriff's Office received a report of the robbery on June 4, 2023. Two individuals entered the Family Dollar store, located at 13065 US Highway 264, exhibiting firearms and demanding money. They secured more than $2,000 in cash before departing in a car driven by Clarke. The vehicle was pursued by a Hyde County deputy, leading to an 18-mile chase that reached speeds of over 100 mph before being stopped. In the car with the robbers and Clarke were two unrestrained children. Investigations indicated that Clarke had purchased the firearms used in the robbery and rented the getaway vehicle.
Sheriff Guire Cahoon emphasized the seriousness of the crime, stating, “The Hyde County Sheriff's Office is committed to ensuring the safety of our residents and businesses. We are grateful for the quick response of our deputies, which resulted in the apprehension of the individuals involved, and we are grateful for the assistance of the FBI and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for their work on the case. Violent crime has no place in our community, and we will continue working tirelessly to protect the people of Hyde County.”
The announcement of Clarke's sentencing, handled by U.S. District Judge Louise W. Flanagan, was made by Daniel P. Bubar, Acting U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina. The case was investigated by the Hyde County Sheriff’s Office and the Federal Bureau of Investigation, with Assistant U.S. Attorney Julie A. Childress serving as the prosecutor.
Further documentation and information are accessible through the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina’s website or via the PACER system by searching for Case No. 4:24-CR-12-FL-RJ-3.