Jacksonville Robbery Suspects Arrested

JACKSONVILLE — Four people have been arrested in connection with a robbery in Jacksonville this week, and they may be linked to prior robberies. That’s according to KETK. On Tuesday at around 9:50 p.m., the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office received a call in reference to a hold-up alarm at the Fastrac convenience store located at the corner of FM 2138 and South Bolton Street. Cherokee County deputies and Jacksonville officers arrived on scene within minutes, and were told by the clerk that two men dressed in dark clothing and masks had run from the store. The clerk said one gunman had a rifle, the other a handgun. The robbers took the money from the register and from a customer who was in the store when they burst in.

A trooper located a vehicle at around 11 p.m. matching the description from previous store robberies in the past three weeks. The trooper stopped the vehicle at Love’s Lookout roadside park just north of Jacksonville. After backup deputies arrived, the four passengers, three men and one woman, ages 19-22, all from the Jacksonville area, were arrested and a loaded revolver was found in the vehicle along with Halloween type masks and gloves. According to authorities, it was at that time that one of the suspects ran from the vehicle and into the wooded area behind Love’s Lookout.

Authorities say a K-9 unit and helicopter were called in to assist in the hunt for the runaway suspect. According to the sheriff’s department, once the helicopter arrived, the suspect attempted changing locations again, but was spotted and caught.

The suspects face charges of:

• Aggravated Robbery – 1st Degree Felony
• Engaging in Organized Criminal Activity – 1st Degree Felony
• Unlawful Possession of Firearm by a Felon – 3rd Degree Felony

The female is also charged with:
• Possession of Marijuana less than 2 oz. – Class B Misdemeanor
• Possession of Dangerous Drug – Class A Misdemeanor