FROM STAFF REPORTS

Two suspects in an early Tuesday morning attempted robbery in Mooresville are in custody following a multi-agency investigation.

The Mooresville Police Department announced the arrest Zion Michael Roberts, 20, of Charlotte in connection with the attempted armed robbery at 119 Super Sport Drive. A 17-year-old accomplice, whose name was withheld, was also apprehended.

They face charges in connection with an incident in which an individual brandished a handgun and demanded the car keys from a man who had arrived for work at that location, according to an MPD news release. After the victim ran away, the gunman and an accomplice fled in a white sedan.

During the ensuing investigation, MPD detectives learned the white vehicle had been stolen during an armed robbery in Mecklenburg County the previous day, police said.

By working with detectives from Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department, MPD detectives were able to locate the white vehicle used during the Mooresville incident and positively identify the suspects, according to the news release.

The suspects were apprehended by Gastonia police and CMPD officers following a short vehicle pursuit. Two firearms were recovered from inside the vehicle, police said.

Both suspects admitted their involvement in the attempted armed robbery in Mooresville, which included following the victim from Mecklenburg County as he drove to work, according to the news release.

Roberts was charged with felony attempted armed robbery and received a $50,000 secured bond. Detectives also plan to charge him with felony conspiracy to commit armed robbery and felony possession of a stolen motor vehicle. Roberts was also charged in Mecklenburg County with possession of a stolen motor vehicle. He was placed in the Gaston County Jail under a $151,000 secured bond for all his charges.

The 17-year-old suspect, who is also from Charlotte, was placed in a Juvenile Detention Center under a secured custody order for charges out of Mecklenburg County. MPD detectives are obtaining secure custody orders charging the juvenile with felony attempted armed robbery, felony conspiracy to commit armed robbery and felony possession of a stolen motor vehicle for his involvement in the attempted armed robbery.