While investigating an armed robbery in Conetoe, Edgecombe County deputies solved three break-ins Wednesday.

Following up on information related to an armed holdup at Conetoe Discount Store on U.S. 64 Alternate, investigators questioned Greenville's Tyrone Council.

"During the interview about the robbery, he confessed to three break-ins in Edgecombe County," Sheriff James Knight said.

Council, 29, apparently wasn't involved in the robbery.

He was, however, charged with three counts of breaking and entering and larceny in connection with burglaries in February at Taylor's Store near Pinetops and in April at Rodger's Grocery in Princeville and Williams Store in Conetoe. The thief stole beer and cigarettes during the break-ins, the sheriff said.

Greenville police assisted Edgecombe County authorities in the investigation.

Council was jailed under a $30,000 bond, and Knight said more arrests are expected.

Council was charged earlier this year in Pitt County with first-degree burglary, two counts of larceny and two counts of possession of stolen goods.

Detectives still are looking for three shotgun-wielding robbers who held up the Conetoe Discount Store, which was robbed about 8 a.m. Dec. 20, authorities said.

The suspects were last seen driving away from the scene in a bronze Chrysler PT Cruiser headed west on U.S. 64 Alternate. The trio of robbers were armed with 12-gauge shotguns, authorities said.

The robbers are described as black men in their early 20s weighing between 150 and 170 pounds. One suspect's face was covered with a white bandana, and the other two had blue bandanas over their faces. All three gunmen were wearing black flight jackets, witnesses told detectives.

An N.C. Highway Patrol helicopter was called in to help search for the suspects' vehicle after the robbery, but the search turned up no solid leads.

Anyone with information about the robbery can call the sheriff's department at 641-7911 or the Twin County Crime Stoppers at 977-1111.