***Update***
During the June 2022 session of Grand Jury, another true bill of indictment was issued for Bender for Felony Possession of a Firearm by a Felon.
Bender was served with the indictments while in jail on the initial charges and received a secured bond of $25,000. A court date was set for July 11, 2022, in Randolph County Superior Court.
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During the June 2021 session of Grand Jury true bills of indictment were issued for Robert Dwight Bender for Felony Attempted Murder and eight counts of Assault on Law Enforcement Officer with a Firearm. The indictment stemmed from a 2020 case investigated by the Randolph County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigations Division and SBI. He was served the True Bill Order for Arrest on June 15, 2021, while in jail on the initial charges. No additional bond was given.
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Following the domestic call and barricade incident on September 13, 2020, in the 5600 block of NC Hwy 49 N., Liberty, Warrants for Arrest were issued for Robert Dwight Bender for Felony Assault with Deadly Weapon on a Government Official, Felony Discharging a Weapon into an Occupied Dwelling/Moving Vehicle, Misdemeanor Assault by Pointing a Gun, Misdemeanor Assault with a Deadly Weapon, Misdemeanor Interfere with Emergency Communication, Misdemeanor Assault on a Female.
He was released from the area hospital today, September 16, 2020, and transported to the Randolph County Detention Center where he was served his Warrants. He was given a Domestic Violence Hold, a $1,000,000 secured bond and Electronic House Arrest. A first appearance has been set for September 18, 2020, in Randolph County District Court.
The SBI is still investigating the incident.
Person Charged:
Robert Dwight Bender
Age: 54
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On September 13, 2020, at around 11:35 am, Randolph County Sheriff’s Office Deputies were dispatched to a residence on Hwy 49 N, Liberty, regarding a domestic call and shots were fired inside the residence. Liberty Police Department was asked to assist and respond as the residence is just outside the city limits. Upon arrival, law enforcement learned the suspect, Robert Dwight Bender, had retreated into a structure behind the residence and the caller was safely removed from the house. As officers approached the structure, they believed the suspect to be barricading himself inside and the suspect fired a shot in the direction of the officers. The Sheriff’s Office Emergency Response Team and Crisis Negotiation Team was called out to respond to the incident. Upon their arrival and approach, the suspect fired another shot toward officers. Liberty Fire Department responded and closed down a section of the highway between Kinro Rd. and Hwy 421 for the safety of the motoring public. The incident was contained on the property and negotiations took place for several hours. At around 3:50 pm, the suspect was shot and transported to a local hospital for treatment. The SBI has been called in to investigate. Additional details will be released when information is available.
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