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Man Accused of Robbing NC Couple in Wheelchairs is Arrested: Police

Barbara Huggins says she has bruises on her fingers that came from the man trying to steal her rings.
Credit: Durham Police
Eric Lemel Campbell, 29, of Durham is charged in the case and is now in custody, police say.

DURHAM, N.C. (WNCN) - Durham police say they have detained the man who robbed an elderly couple in wheelchairs last week.

The July 6 crime started at a bus stop on Lakewood Avenue. It involved a 65-year-old man and a 78-year-old female.

The husband and wife, both in their wheelchairs, were headed home on Chestnut Street. Police said a man walked up to them and stole jewelry before running off.

Now, police say Eric Lemel Campbell, 29, of Durham is charged in the case — and that he was taken into custody Friday.

On Wednesday, Durham police sent a new photo of the suspect they believe robbed an elderly couple getting off the bus. Thursday, police released Campbell's name and a mugshot after he was charged, but before he was detained.

He targeted Barbara and Wayne Huggins Friday afternoon in The Lofts at Southside apartment complex, police say. They both live with disabilities.

Barbara Huggins said the man told her he was there to offer help, but she wasn’t comfortable.

“He needs to get the hell out of here,” she said she was thinking.

There were bruises on her fingers that she said came from the suspect trying to steal her rings. She said he was eyeing her jewelry on the bus.

Campbell is charged with one count of common-law robbery, one count of attempted common-law robbery and two counts of assault on a handicapped person.

He is being held in the Durham County Jail under a $25,000 bond.

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