FRANKLIN—Two North Carolina men were arrested for the daylight armed robbery of a 73-year-old Sedley woman outside East Pavilion at Southampton Memorial Hospital on Friday.

Suspects Devonte Riddick and Casey Carter, both 18 of Seaboard, fled into Southampton County before they were arrested off Main Street in Courtland, said Franklin Police Lt. Tim Whitt.

The victim was visiting someone at the nursing home at 2:50 p.m. when Riddick allegedly approached her from behind with a pistol, grabbed her and stole her purse, Whitt said.

“He jumped into a champagne-colored sport-utility vehicle and sped off on High Street toward Southampton County,” he said.

Police found the gun on the sidewalk and alerted authorities about the vehicle’s description. That helped police find the pair.

The victim was banged up and scraped her knees.

Whitt could not say if the suspects might be connected to a Wednesday evening armed robbery outside The Tidewater News.

“I don’t know,” Whitt said. “It will be hard to prove because that guy had a bandana over his face, but we certainly are working on it. That’s something we will explore.”

Franklin Police had a separate chase at the same time Friday.

Police spotted Marcus Maurice Hunt, 35, of Orchard Street, Franklin, and knew he was wanted on a parole violation. A chase followed onto Fairview and into Southampton County, where Hunt was stopped in the Edge Hill subdivision.

He was charged with the parole violation and felony eluding.