Lowndes County Sheriff’s Department arrested three men after the New Hope Sprint Mart was robbed Thursday.
Three suspects — Jaquavious Harris, 21, and two 17-year-old males — were apprehended and charged with armed robbery a short time later, according to the sheriff’s department. Additional charges may be forthcoming as this investigation unfolds.
The robbery happened around 2:13 p.m. at the New Hope Sprint Mart located at 5780 Hwy 182 outside Columbus. The store’s manager and clerk were not harmed during the robbery, the sheriff’s department said.
One suspect entered the store and brandished a semi-automatic pistol and pointed the pistol at the clerk’s face, demanding money, according to the sheriff’s department. The robbery suspect was described as a Black male, wearing all black clothing, wearing white gloves and had his face covered with a black hood and mask.
The suspect acted aggressively toward the clerk and also the manager inside the store by demanding cash and telling them to hurry up, the sheriff’s department said. The suspect put the money in a backpack he brought with him when he entered the store.
A witness in the parking lot saw the clerk with her hands up inside the store and called 911, according to the sheriff’s department.
The male then fled the store and got into a black Chrysler 200 with tinted windows where two other suspects were waiting. The witness, still on phone with Lowndes E-911, followed the suspects south on New Hope Road until the witness lost sight of the vehicle.
A short time later, a deputy responding to the scene saw a vehicle fitting the description and attempted to conduct a traffic stop.
A pursuit took place and a Glock handgun was later recovered that was thrown from the vehicle during the pursuit, according to the sheriff’s department.
The pursuit ended in the area of Stringer Manner Apartments where all three suspects exited the vehicle and ran on foot.
The suspects were later apprehended at a residence on Swedenburg Circle and deputies recovered the backpack with an undisclosed amount of cash.
All three suspects are charged with armed robbery and are currently in custody in the Lowndes County Adult Detention Center.
“We are all very grateful that no one was shot by these dangerous felons during this armed robbery,” Sheriff Eddie Hawkins said. “Thankfully the quick actions of a Lowndes County resident and Lowndes County deputies working together resulted in the swift apprehension of these three suspects.”
Anyone with additional knowledge of this case should contact Golden Triangle Crime Stoppers at 1-800-530-7151 or the Lowndes County Sheriff’s Office at 662-328-6788.
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