Man working in field beaten after giving motorist directions

LUMBERTON - Robert Musselwhite was picking beans Wednesday in a field beside his St. Pauls home when two men stopped their car and asked for directions.

Those men are now accused of robbing and beating Musselwhite, according to the Robeson County Sheriff's Office.

The incident happened about 9:30 a.m. on the 800 block of East Great Marsh Church Road, said Maj. Howard Branch.

After Musselwhite, 66, gave the men directions, the car drove away, Branch said.

"They went down the road, turned around and came back and asked again for directions to Rowland," Branch said.

But this time, one of the men pulled a pistol from his pants pocket and told Musselwhite to "give up what you got," Branch said.

A shot was fired, and the man then hit Musselwhite several times on his head with the gun, Branch said.

"When the victim fell to the ground, (the man) took his wallet, which had $15, and they left going toward St. Pauls," Branch said.

Lawmen were notified and issued a bulletin for the vehicle, Branch said.

Minutes later, a St. Pauls police officer spotted the car. The men, both from St. Pauls, were arrested, Branch said.

Martize Douglas, 18, of the 200 block of Barts Road, and Aaron Wise, 17, of the 100 block of Spring Branch Drive, are charged with robbery with a dangerous weapon, assault with intent to kill inflicting serious injury and conspiring to commit robbery, Branch said.

Bail for each is set at $250,000.

Musselwhite was treated for injuries at Southeastern Regional Medical Center and released, Branch said.