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Police: Drug deal ends in armed robbery and aggravated assault
STAHLECKER PETER TERELL
Peter Terrell Stahlecker - photo by Special
    What began as a drug deal turned into an armed robbery and ended in an aggravated assault, leaving one man injured after another man rammed into him with a vehicle.
    Richard Michael Johnston, 19, Brannen Hall, Georgia Southern University, apparently went to purchase marijuana from Brandon Eric Booth, 18, Campus Club Apartments sometime Monday, said Statesboro Police Capt. Scott Brunson.
    But Booth used a hand gun and robbed Johnston, he said.
    Later that evening Johnston spotted Booth and recognized him as he man who had robbed him and, out of anger and retaliation, struck Booth with his car, he said.
    Statesboro Police Det. Ken Scott responded to  the Campus Club Apartments area Monday evening  regarding a call about a “physical altercation and a motor vehicle accident,” Brunson said. After hitting Booth with the vehicle, Johnston exited the car and began assaulting Booth, he said.
    But when Scott began investigating the incident, he discovered “ an account of the events that did not match the evidence at the scene” and delved further into the matter, learning about the previous armed robbery when Booth robbed Johnston, he said.
    “The investigation revealed an aggravated assault occurred in retaliation for an earlier armed robbery. Richard Johnston used his motor vehicle to hit and run over Brandon Booth when ... Johnston recognized Booth as the individual who robbed him when he attempted t p purchase marijuana from him earlier in the evening,” Brunson said.
    Further investigation led to the arrest of three others involved in the incidents, he said.
    Brandon Booth was charged with armed robbery, illegal possession of Xanax (alprazolam) with intent to distribute, and marijuana possession.
    Johnston was charged with aggravated assault with a motor vehicle, criminal attempt to purchase marijuana, possession of marijuana and battery.
    Alexander Lanier Booth, 22, Campus Club Apartments, was charged with marijuana possession and illegal possession of Xanax.
    David Zachary Hawkins, 18, Campus club Apart-ments, was charged with armed robbery as well, Brunson said. Additional details surrounding Hawkins’ involvement in the armed robbery were not released due to the case still being under investigation, he said.
    Peter Terrell Stahlecker, 20, Campus Club Apartments, was charged with marijuana possession, he said.
    Brandon Booth was not seriously injured in the attack in spite of being struck by the vehicle, then assaulted by Johnston, he said.
    Brandon Booth was treated at the scene by EMS technicians and signed a waiver of release, and was not transported, he said.
    All five suspects were taken to the Bulloch County Jail to await bond hearings and further court action, he said.

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