Two arrests have been made in the armed robbery that occurred on June 9 at Mr. Pip’s convenience store, located at 875 Colquitt Hwy.

On the night of the robbery, a masked man entered the store carrying a small revolver-style handgun. He took between $150 and $200 from the cash register drawer and attempted to take the wallets of two customers inside the store before apparently getting nervous and fleeing.

A be-on-the-lookout call was sent out by the Decatur-Grady E-911 with the description of the robber. Later that evening, a Miller County Sheriff’s deputy stopped a suspicious vehicle being driven by 32-year-old Yosuf Young. The passenger in the vehicle, Derrick Rashaw Miller, 21, of Colquitt, Ga., matched the description of the robber and was in possession of the approximate amount of money stolen from the store.

Decatur County Sheriff’s Investigator Victor Strickland, who is in charge of the case, said at that time they did not have enough solid evidence to arrest Miller.

Young was arrested as a result of the traffic stop due to his being a habitual violator.

Strickland said it was determined that the amount of money Miller was in possession of matched in amount and bill denomination as what was taken from the store. Miller’s height and build was also similar to those of the suspect, as given by the customers inside the store. A shoe print discovered by investigators had similar shoe track markings as Miller was wearing.

This week, investigators receiving additional information about the robbery from a concerned citizen, said DCSO Major Wendell Cofer.

On Wednesday, investigators arrested Miller at his home charging him with three counts of armed robbery—one for robbing the store clerk and two for the two customers inside. Strickland said Young was also charged with three counts of armed robbery and is currently in custody at the Miller County Jail.

DCSO investigators continue to search for the weapon used in the robbery. Strickland said he would like to thank the multiple agencies that have assisted in searching for evidence that will implicate Young and Miller in the robbery. He said they have searched areas of Highway 310, White’s Bridge Road, U.S. 27, around Mr. Pip’s and various other isolated location with tracking dog’s and metal detectors.

The search led to the discovery of a mask that has been sent to the Georgia Bureau of Investigation’s Crime Lab in Albany for DNA testing. Cofer said at this time they are unsure if the mask was used in the robbery.

Agencies that assisted DCSO in the investigation and search efforts include the Miller County Sheriff’s Office and Volunteer Fire Department, tracking dogs and teams from the Apalachee Correctional Institution and the Florida State Hospital and Bainbridge Public Safety.

Strickland said the Sheriff’s Office is offering a reward for any information that leads to the recovery of the firearm used in the robbery. It is a small black revolver-style handgun. If you have any information contact Investigator Victor Strickland at 229-400-8028.

Man struck by car

A Bainbridge man was taken to Tallahassee Memorial Hospital after it is believed he was hit by a car, leaving him unconscious outside overnight.

On Wednesday morning, Alfredo Hernandez, 24, of 710 Fleming St. in Bainbridge, was found by his father outside of their home. Hernandez was laying down and was unconscious with blood coming from his mouth and ears.

According to Bainbridge Public Safety Investigator Chris Jordan, Hernandez was most likely struck by a vehicle the night before. He said Hernandez only remembers walking to a store to purchase a drink the night before.

Hernandez was taken to Memorial Hospital in Bainbridge and then transferred to Tallahassee Memorial Hospital. Jordan said Hernandez suffered multiple skull fractures, a punctured lung, multiple broken ribs, a crushed pelvis and severe road rash.

If anyone has any information about the incident please contact Bainbridge Public Safety at (229) 248-2038.

Two injured in wreck during storm

The drivers of both vehicles involved in a wreck that took place during a storm that passed through Decatur County Thursday afternoon were taken to the hospital.

The wreck occurred on Georgia 97 North approximately one mile past the Georgia 309 split at around 4:30 p.m. At that time a severe storm was passing through the area, bringing with it reports of penny-sized hail, heavy winds and rain. There were also trees falling on power lines and on a residence on Donalson Road.

A Chevrolet pickup truck, driven by Dorothy May Davis, 53, of Bainbridge, was traveling north on Georgia 97 and collided with a Ford Taurus being driven by 91-year-old John R. Stone—outside of Stone’s home.

A witness at the scene said he believed Stone was pulling out of his driveway to retrieve his mail from his mailbox when the accident occurred. Neither vehicle overturned.

Both Davis and Stone were taken to the hospital by Emergency Medical Services (EMS) first responders. Davis may have suffered a neck injury, and Stone had lacerations to his head and right arm, according to EMS personnel.

Firefighters from Decatur County Fire and Rescue and Black Jack Volunteer Fire Department and the Decatur County Sheriff’s Office responded to the wreck. Georgia State Patrol troopers worked the accident.

Three-vehicle accident sends two to hospital

A Bainbridge woman and her grandson were taken to the hospital Wednesday afternoon following a three-vehicle accident that took place on West Street.

Shortly after 1 p.m., Bainbridge Public Safety officers and Emergency Medical Services first responders were called to the accident at the corner of West and College streets in Bainbridge.

BPS Officer Beau Harrell, who worked the accident, said the wreck occurred when a Jeep Liberty stopped at the stop sign on College Street crossed over West Street and struck a Ford Contour traveling north on West Street.

The Contour was diverted onto College Street due to the impact and came to rest in a grass lot approximately 20 yards from the intersection. The driver of the car, 75-year-old Margaret Bruton, and her 10-year-old grandson, who was a passenger, were taken to the hospital. The young boy may have suffered an injury to his arm, according to officers. The driver’s side airbag deployed during the accident.

The driver of the Jeep, 56-year-old Debra Daniels, told officers that the driver of a Honda Accord—which was stopped on West Street preparing to turn onto College Street—had signaled for her to cross the intersection. When the collision occurred, the Jeep also struck the stationary Honda—being driven by 26-year-old Ranshell Marshall.

None of the drivers or passengers of the Jeep or Honda requested medical attention.

Daniels, the driver of the Jeep, was issued a citation for failure to yield.

GSP update

Georgia State Patrol troopers from Post 14 in Colquitt, Ga., investigated 10 traffic crashes during the month of June in Decatur County.

Sgt. First Class Bryan Strickland said the traffic crashes resulted in 15 injuries.

Strickland said troopers from the post also issued 228 traffic citations in the county during the month. The total includes 14 arrests for DUI, 84 citations for speeding, 25 seat belt violations and 23 child restraint violation. Troopers also issued 238 warnings.