WILMINGTON — A Wilmington man will serve between three and six years in prison for his role in a robbery and arson that killed a dog.
Wilmington resident Saeed Abdelsalem El-Helo, 27, pleaded guilty to his role in an incident that took place on May 27, 2018.
E-Helo entered the Scotchman store at 2902 Carolina Beach Road shortly after 4 p.m., telling the clerk that he had a gun and then demanding money from the cash register. Witnesses provided investigators with a description of the El-Helo’s vehicle after he fled the scene; he was also captured on surveillance cameras. A detective familiar with El-Helo was able to quickly identify him.
El-Helo’s vehicle was located outside 2815 Vance St. in Wilmington, near the Port of Wilmington.
According to the New Hanover County District Attorney’s Office, “[Wilmington] Police attempted to take El-Helo into custody, but were forced to take cover outside of the residence when he threatened that he had a firearm. SWAT team members and negotiators were called to the residence to assist in the standoff. El-Helo later lit the house on fire and remained inside until ultimately crawling out of a window. One dog that had been caged in the house died, while another was revived by firefighters.
E-Helo was treated at the University North Carolina Chapel Hill burn unit. He later confessed to robbing the Scotchman and setting the house on fire, but denied having a firearm during the incident. No weapon was recovered following the fire.
According to the DA’s office, “Abdelsalem El-Helo, age 27, was convicted of Common Law Robbery, Second Degree Arson, and two counts of Cruelty to Animals. El-Helo will serve a minimum of three and a maximum of six years in prison for his role in the May 27, 2018 offenses. Judge Kent Harrell also ordered El-Helo to pay nearly $3,000 in restitution as part of his sentence.”
El-Helo has a long record of previous convictions, largely for breaking and entering and larceny charges.
