Police say homeless ex-con confesses to stealing cigarettes

A homeless, man out of prison for less than a month, is in Lenoir County Jail for allegedly robbing two Kinston stores.

William David Hawkins, 37, was arrested early Monday morning on suspicion of robbing Rightway, 3101 Herritage St., only a few moments before he was apprehended.

Officers found Hawkins hiding behind a nearby building after they responded to a 12:51 a.m. alarm at Rightway, Kinston Public Safety Comdr. Greg Thompson said.

Police say Hawkins broke the glass on Rightway’s front door, and stole about $400 worth of cigarettes. He was arrested and taken to the police station where, Thompson said, Hawkins also confessed to the early Saturday morning robbery of the Up Hill Mini Mart on Old Snow Hill Road.

Thompson said Hawkins stole about $1,000 worth of cigarettes from the mini-mart. He is being held under a $6,000 bail.

Hawkins, originally from Georgia, was released from prison Feb. 15 after being convicted in Buncombe County for breaking and entering and stealing a vehicle. He served almost 10 months for that conviction.

Hawkins was convicted in Buncombe County of forgery in 2004 and served 4 ½ month for that crime.

Thompson said Hawkins had been living on the streets in Kinston and was selling the cigarettes he reportedly stole from the mini-mart.

In an unrelated incident, police are following several good leads in the recent beating and robbery of a pizza delivery man in the Jack Rountree Apartments area, Thompson said.

Five black males reportedly attacked the man, and robbed him of $40 and six pizzas. The man was treated and released from Lenoir Memorial Hospital.