A Columbus man is under arrest after using a Sprite bottle wrapped in a cloth to rob the Chevron Vape Shop Wednesday night, according to Police Chief Fred Shelton.
Ronald Mixon Jr., 36, was arrested less than 15 minutes after the 911 call went out, Shelton said. He is being charged with armed robbery.
About 9:30 p.m. Mixon allegedly walked into the vape shop, located at 1512 Highway 45 North, in front of Leigh Mall, brandished what appeared to be a gun, and demanded cash, Shelton said.
He then took off on foot, Shelton said, but didn’t make it very far. Officers caught him behind Umi Japanese Steak House, located on the other side of Highway 45 and about three-tenths of a mile away.
When Mixon was apprehended, officers determined the believed gun was actually a Sprite bottle.
Shelton said investigators also had video surveillance from inside the store.
There were no injuries, and all of the cash was recovered, he said.
“The fast response of our officers in the area with the assistance of the Lowndes County Sheriff’s Office and 911 resulted in the arrest,” Shelton said. “ I want to thank everyone for the professional and speedy arrest in this case.”
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