Claxton Police arrested a man suspected in four Bulloch County armed robberies after he robbed a Claxton convenience store clerk at knife point Sunday afternoon.
Tommy Lee King, 21, Park Drive, Claxton, was working alone and wearing a mask Sunday when he robbed the Express convenience store on South Duvall Street, said Lt. Barry Barnard.
But when he robbed three convenience stores in Bulloch County as well as one in Statesboro earlier this past weekend, he was not wearing a mask and was caught on video, along with another man currently known only by the street name " Dirty," said Bulloch County Sheriff Lynn Anderson.
Barnard said King was found shortly after the 12:43 p.m. armed robbery in Claxton, and officers found on his person the mask he used, as well as other things that implicated him in the Claxton incident. Also, although he wore a m ask, the clerk was able to identify him through other unique characteristics, he said.
After King's arrest, Barnard notified Statesboro Police Det. Ben Purvis and Bulloch County Sheriff's Inv. Walter Deal, who were investigating the Statesboro and Bulloch County armed robberies Friday night and Saturday morning.
After being questioned, King admitted to Purvis and Deal that he was involved in robbing Clyde's Market at U.S. 301 North and Veteran's Memorial Parkway around 9:30 Friday; the Fast Stop at Grove Lakes subdivision on U.S. 80 East a short time later; a Clyde's market in Brooklet after that and the GATE station on South Main Street in Statesboro around 1:30 a.m. Saturday morning, Anderson said.
There is still another man at large, he said. Investigators believed at first there were possibly three offenders, but he said evidence points to only two men. The man who was with King during the four robberies in Bulloch County is dark complected and known by the street name " Dirty."
King is charged by Claxton Police with armed robbery and possession of a knife during the commission of a crime. Other charges are possible.
Bulloch County Sheriff's charges against King include three counts each of armed robbery, aggravated assault, possession of a firearm during the commission of a crime, and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.
Statesboro Police charged King with armed robbery, aggravated assault, possession of a firearm during the commission of a crime, and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon as well, according to reports.
"This is a good example of working together," Anderson said. " I am pleased with our good working relationship" between the Statesboro Police, the Bulloch County Sheriff's Department and other law enforcement agencies such as the Claxton Police.
Anyone with information about these robberies, including identifying the suspect known as " Dirty," believed to live in the Savannah area, is asked to contact Deal at the Bulloch County Sheriff's Department (764-8888) or Purvis at the Statesboro Police Department (764-9911). All calls remain confidential, Anderson said.
Holli Deal Bragg may be reached at 489-9414.
Tommy Lee King, 21, Park Drive, Claxton, was working alone and wearing a mask Sunday when he robbed the Express convenience store on South Duvall Street, said Lt. Barry Barnard.
But when he robbed three convenience stores in Bulloch County as well as one in Statesboro earlier this past weekend, he was not wearing a mask and was caught on video, along with another man currently known only by the street name " Dirty," said Bulloch County Sheriff Lynn Anderson.
Barnard said King was found shortly after the 12:43 p.m. armed robbery in Claxton, and officers found on his person the mask he used, as well as other things that implicated him in the Claxton incident. Also, although he wore a m ask, the clerk was able to identify him through other unique characteristics, he said.
After King's arrest, Barnard notified Statesboro Police Det. Ben Purvis and Bulloch County Sheriff's Inv. Walter Deal, who were investigating the Statesboro and Bulloch County armed robberies Friday night and Saturday morning.
After being questioned, King admitted to Purvis and Deal that he was involved in robbing Clyde's Market at U.S. 301 North and Veteran's Memorial Parkway around 9:30 Friday; the Fast Stop at Grove Lakes subdivision on U.S. 80 East a short time later; a Clyde's market in Brooklet after that and the GATE station on South Main Street in Statesboro around 1:30 a.m. Saturday morning, Anderson said.
There is still another man at large, he said. Investigators believed at first there were possibly three offenders, but he said evidence points to only two men. The man who was with King during the four robberies in Bulloch County is dark complected and known by the street name " Dirty."
King is charged by Claxton Police with armed robbery and possession of a knife during the commission of a crime. Other charges are possible.
Bulloch County Sheriff's charges against King include three counts each of armed robbery, aggravated assault, possession of a firearm during the commission of a crime, and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.
Statesboro Police charged King with armed robbery, aggravated assault, possession of a firearm during the commission of a crime, and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon as well, according to reports.
"This is a good example of working together," Anderson said. " I am pleased with our good working relationship" between the Statesboro Police, the Bulloch County Sheriff's Department and other law enforcement agencies such as the Claxton Police.
Anyone with information about these robberies, including identifying the suspect known as " Dirty," believed to live in the Savannah area, is asked to contact Deal at the Bulloch County Sheriff's Department (764-8888) or Purvis at the Statesboro Police Department (764-9911). All calls remain confidential, Anderson said.
Holli Deal Bragg may be reached at 489-9414.