Elderly Johnston County couple seriously injured in home invasion

FOUR OAKS, N.C. (WTVD) -- An elderly Johnston County couple was seriously injured Wednesday after a home invasion that appeared to be part of a crime spree.

The Johnston County Sheriff's Office said the string of incidents began Wednesday morning at Ronnie's BP at U.S. 701 and Interstate 95 in Four Oaks, according to the JoCo Report.

Four Oaks police officers responded to the convenience store after a complaint of a man loitering and refusing to leave. He was identified as Thomas Lee Wright, 39, of Wendell.

After officers arrived, Wright left the property on foot.

Later Wednesday, about 10:50 a.m., deputies said Wright forced his way into a home in the 2000 block of Devil's Racetrack Road and attacked an 81-year-old man and his 74-year-old wife.

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Both victims sustained serious injuries, and the attacker fled on foot. The couple was taken to WakeMed for treatment.

The sheriff's office said Wright allegedly forced his way into another nearby home. An elderly woman there said the suspect spoke to her, but she was not able to understand him. He then walked off. The woman was not injured.

Authorities said a relative of the couple injured in the home invasion fired a gun in an effort to scare Wright.

Wright ran off when a deputy arrived in the area, but he was caught after a foot chase.

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The sheriff's office said Wright allegedly also broke into two cars but was unsuccessful in stealing them. He was also believed to be responsible for an earlier Wednesday incident where someone was slapping at passing cars while walking along Devil's Racetrack Road.

Wright was charged with several felonies, including two counts of breaking and entering with intent to terrorize or injure, two counts of assault inflicting serious bodily injury, and two counts of attempted felony larceny related to the attempted vehicle thefts.

The sheriff's office said the home invasions appeared to be random.

Wright, who has a criminal past in Johnston and Wake counties, was booked into the Johnston County Detention Center.

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