4 arrested for string of Dollar General robberies, shootout with Franklin Co. deputies

Four people are in custody after a string of armed robberies ended with shots getting fired at Franklin County sheriff’s deputies.

Investigators said it happened Wednesday night at a Dollar General Store on North Carolina Highway 561.

On Thursday, the Franklin County Sheriff's Office said deputies arrested Achontay Malik Cotten and three juveniles in connection to the robberies.

Investigators say, at minimum, all of them are expected to face multiple counts of armed robbery.

The Franklin Sheriff's Office said suspects shot into the deputies' car, not causing any injuries.

Sheriff Kevin White says in the days before the confrontation, the same suspects had robbed multiple other Dollar General stores in Franklin County.

Surveillance video from one of those stores shows two people breaking into the cash register, one of them holding a handgun.

White said Wednesday night, his deputies staked out the store, and confronted the suspects when they tried to rob that store.

Then, White said shots were fired and the suspects escaped, which led to a manhunt.