4 arrested after alleged motel robbery

VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. (WAVY) - Two men accused of committing a motel robbery tried to get away from police multiple ways, but to no avail. The two are now behind bars, along with their co-conspirators,  Virginia Beach police said.

Just after 1 a.m. on April 24, police were called to the Sundial Motel at 308 21st Street for a report of a robbery. The motel employee told 911 dispatchers two gunmen entered the business wearing masks and demanded money.

Shots were fired, and witnesses said they saw the men running towards 20th Street and Arctic Avenue. No one was hit in the gunfire.

Meanwhile, officers in the area saw a vehicle, occupied by two men, circling the area. The officers followed the vehicle, pulling it over on I-264 for a traffic stop.

Police spokeswoman Grazia Moyers said the two occupants were arrested without incident, but the officers didn't know two additional suspects were hiding in the back seat. Moyers said the two jumped into the front seat and drove away from the scene.

A pursuit ensued and spikes were used to stop the vehicle. Moyers said the suspects crashed the vehicle into a sign at the corner of General Booth Boulevard and Rudee Inlet. As officers closed in, one of the suspects jumped into the water and tried to swim away. But, a police helicopter was able to track him, and he was taken into custody. A Police K9 caught the fourth suspect.

Moyers said the dog did bite the fourth suspect, but the injury was minor.

Police have identified the four suspects, as well as the charges they face:

• Darius Antonio Casey, 21, of the 400 block of Pine Street, Emporia, Virginia. Casey is charged with armed robbery, use of a firearm, wearing a mask, conspiracy, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and shooting into an occupied dwelling.
• Maurice Davon Sneed, 24, of the 100 block of Clearfield Drive, Roanoke Rapids, North Carolina. Sneed is charged with armed robbery, use of a firearm, wearing a mask, conspiracy and felony eluding police.
• Leroy Harris, 25, of the 100 block of Gregory Street, Garysburg, North Carolina. Harris is charged with armed robbery, use of a firearm and conspiracy.
• Jaquan Rashee Cheek, 22, 1000 block of Vance Street, Roanoke Rapids, North Carolina. Cheek is charged with armed robbery, use of a firearm and conspiracy.

All four are being held at the Virginia Beach Correctional Center.