A recent robbery being investigated as gang-related in the Henry area of Franklin County is a glimpse of an increasing trend, said one Franklin County investigator.

Lt. Steve McGuire, head of investigations with the Franklin County Sheriff's Office, said there has been a recent increase in reported gang activity.

He declined to comment further.

McGuire and his investigators are working the robbery case and have arrested four of five suspects.

On Oct. 26, he says Jamie Diaz, 35, was lured to a Henry residence where he was pepper-sprayed, shot in the left arm and then robbed. Diaz's injuries were not life-threatening.

Now charged in the case are Dominic Townes, Demoan Townes, Michael Holland, Jeannie Sigmon and Amber Scott.

Holland, Dominic Townes and Demoan Townes are charged with committing a crime at the direction of a gang and face additional charges of malicious wounding and possessing a firearm as a violent felon. All five are charged with armed robbery.

Soon after a grand jury handed down indictments for all five suspects Tuesday, police in Roanoke picked up Dominic Townes, 21.

Sigmon, 28, and Scott, 24, were arrested in Franklin County. Holland, 22, was arrested Wednesday in Roanoke.

Demoan Townes, 18, remains at large.

Holland and Dominic Townes are being held in the Franklin County Jail without bond.

Dominic Townes is scheduled for a jury trial Feb. 22.