By By Marianne Todd/The Meridian Star
Oct. 7, 2001
Lauderdale County Sheriff's deputies are investigating the late Friday night armed robbery of the Dalewood BP station.
Chief Deputy Mike Mitchell said a short black man entered the convenience store about 10 p.m. wearing a stocking cap and brandishing a handgun.
He fled in a car with an undetermined amount of money, Mitchell said. Authorities were unable to get a description of the car, but "they processed the scene and lifted a few fingerprints," Mitchell said.
Meanwhile, investigators with the sheriff's department have recovered two stolen four-wheelers and have charged three people with stealing them. Two of the three charged also face burglary charges, he said.
October is the height of the four-wheeler theft season because owners often use them for hunting, then leave them exposed in yards or in trucks, Mitchell said.
If convicted with grand larceny, the defendants could each face a $1,000 fine and up to five years in prison, according to state law. Burglary convictions carry a maximum penalty of 25 years in prison.
Mitchell said officials with his department will release the names of those charged and the circumstances surrounding the arrests on Monday because the investigation is ongoing and more charges are likely.
Marianne Todd is a staff writer for The Meridian Star. Call her at 693-1551, ext. 3236, or e-mail her at mtodd@themeridianstar.com.