Man arrested in convenience store robbery
Another suspect in incident is at large
One suspect was arrested and a second remains a fugitive in the aggravated robbery of the Hope, Ark., Triple J Shell convenience store, police said.
On Oct. 16, Alvin Phillips, 22, of Hope was charged with aggravated robbery in connection with an incident in August at the Triple J Shell on North Hazel Street, according to Hope Assistant Police Chief Kim Tomlin.
Hope police have a warrant for the arrest of Billy McCauley, 23, of Hope on an aggravated robbery charge in the same incident. Anyone with information about where McCauley is should contact Detective Todd Lauterbach at 870-722-2576.
About 4:10 a.m. Aug. 11, Hope Police Department officers responded to the Triple J in the 2600 block of North Hazel Street in reference to a robbery. About 4 a.m., two men with their faces covered entered the store. One of the suspects ran up to the counter and pointed what appeared to be a handgun concealed in a sock at the clerk, Tomlin said.
The second suspect ran around the counter and struck the clerk on the left side of his head with a wooden stick. The clerk was instructed to open the register, and the suspects then fled with an undisclosed amount of money and merchandise.
One of the suspects is described as about 6 feet tall with a slender build. The other is described as about 6 feet tall and having a bigger build. Both were wearing dark pants, white shirts and had their faces covered.
The store clerk was treated at Wadley Regional Medical Center at Hope for injuries sustained during the robbery and was later released.
Anyone with information about this crime or any other crime should call Hope Police Department at 870-777-3434 or Lauterbach at 870-722-2576.