Bryan Stewart

Richmond County Daily Journal

A West Hamlet Avenue business was robbed at gunpoint by two men on Dec. 21 and more than $700 in cash stolen, according to the Hamlet Police Department.

Officers reported that around 10 p.m. on Dec. 21 an officer parked his patrol car at a nearby grocery store to begin duty when a man ran to the passenger side of the patrol car and told the officer that his business had just been robbed.

The officer pulled up to the business and notified the police department of what happened and began to speak to the owner of the business.

The owner told police that two men with black hoodies entered the business and demanded cash. One of the men was armed, and pointed the gun to the ceiling and shot.

The men left with $700 and were seen heading towards Charlotte Street, according to another witness who was walking up to the business after the incident.

He noted they were wearing black hoodies, dark jeans and gray bandanas.

The K-9 unit was called, but were unsuccessful at picking up a scent.

A bullet fragment was recovered, but the reports did not note if there were any leads.

Other incidents reported by the Hamlet Police Department include:

n A home on Washington Avenue was broken into overnight and close to $300 in property was reported stolen.

n A Rockingham woman reported her wallet lost or stolen while shopping at a Hamlet business.

n On Entwhistle Drive, nearly $10,000 in lawn care equipment was stolen from the back of a truck. The owner attempted to pursue the suspect, but lost track after they jumped a fence.

n Two mp3 players were reported missing from a vehicle parked along Main Street in Hamlet.

n A window and door were reported damaged and smashed on Pine Street. Damage was estimated at $1,000.

n The window of a business on Hamlet Avenue was reported shattered by a rock. The window’s estimated price is $700.

Arrests reported by the Hamlet Police Department include:

n Clifton Andrew Steele, 49, Sanford Street, Hamlet, was arrested for misdemeanor larceny. Bond was set at $300.

n William Chandler Overcash, 17, Capel Miill Road, Ellerbe, was arrested for misdemeanor second-degree trespassing.

n Eugenia Renae Alexander, 38, Locust Street, Hamlet, was arrested for injury to personal property. She was released with a written promise to appear in court.

n Rose Marie Maynor, 57, Hamlet Lake Court, Hamlet, was arrested for misdemeanor assault and battery.

n Ronald Patrick Smith, 32, Rollins Avenue, Hamlet, was arrested for misdemeanor resisting and delaying an officer and assault on a government official. Bond was set at $5,000.

n Joel Brett Fairley, 37, Marks Street, Hamlet, was arrested for misdemeanor larceny. Bond was set at $500.

n Scott James Medlin, 43, Rollins Avenue, Hamlet, was arrested for misdemeanor assault on a female.

Arrest reports published in the Richmond County Daily Journal are copied from local law enforcement records. Except for people injured in motor vehicle accidents or reportable deaths, victims including people, businesses and institutions and their addresses are not included as a matter of newspaper policy. Reports include both arrests and criminal summons such as citations. The Daily Journal lists them all as arrests. People charged are presumed innocent until determined to be guilty by a court of law.

Staff writer Bryan Stewart can be reached at 997-3111 ext. 15 or by e-mail at bstewart@yourdailyjournal.com.