North Carolina Man, 27, Robbed Stores at Gunpoint, Then Posted Photos of Himself on Social Media: Prosecutors
Hasahn Riyardt Flowe shared photos of himself online with the same weapon used to commit the crimes
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crime scene — stock imageA North Carolina man has helped police put him in prison after he shared photos of himself on social media with the weapon he used to commit two crimes, prosecutors said.
On Tuesday, July 16, Dena J. King, U.S. Attorney for the Western District of North Carolina, announced that 27-year-old Hasahn Riyardt Flowe was sentenced to 117 months in prison, or over nine years. He will also serve three years of supervised release after serving his prison sentence.
Robert M. DeWitt, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Charlotte Division, and Chief Johnny Jennings of the Charlotte Mecklenburg Police Department joined King in announcing Flowe’s sentence.
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According to the press release, the 27-year-old committed two armed robberies in 2023.
The first incident took place on Jan. 22, 2023, when Flowe entered the Sam’s Mart at 2630 Beatties Ford Road in Charlotte at 6:17 p.m. with the lower part of his face concealed by a red bandana. He was armed with a pistol.
When he entered the convenience store, the only other person inside was an employee. Court documents identified the person as A.R.
Per the U.S. Attorney’s office, the documents added that Flowe told A.R. that he just got out of prison and to shut up or he would shoot her. During this time, he also pointed his gun at her and demanded that she give him the money from the register. The woman complied, and Flowe took the money and fled the scene.
The second incident happened on Feb. 8, 2023 at the 7-Eleven at 4255 Statesville Road in Charlotte at 6:29 p.m. Flowe used the same red bandana to cover the lower part of his face and carried the same pistol as the previous robbery.
The 7-Eleven was empty other than one employee identified as T.R.
Once again, Flowe showed the convenience store employee his weapon and demanded that they give him the money from the register. This time, the employee ran out of the back door after seeing the gun.
Flowe tried to get the money out of the register himself. While he was behind the counter, a customer walked in but backed out into the parking lot when they saw what was going on.
Unable to get the cash drawer open without the employee's help, Flowe grabbed the purse they left behind and fled the scene.
Police were able to find Flowe a week later after he shared photos on his social media account of himself holding the same pistol used in the robbery and attempted robbery. He was arrested on Feb. 15, 2023. When he was arrested, police found the firearm used in the robberies, prosecutors said.
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Flowe pleaded guilty on Oct. 19, 2023, to Hobbs Act robbery and possession and brandishing of a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence.
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