Deputies with the DCSO Breaking and Entering Task Force responded to an armed robbery call from a store commonly referred to as “The Lucky R” on Scenic Way last Thursday at 1:30 p.m. According to a DCSO press release, deputies, while conducting a canvas of the area for the suspect, discovered a naked man underneath the bridge at the intersection of N.C. Highway 109 and Ironwood Drive.
Jerry Leon Blackwell Jr., 50, of 3886 Evergreen Drive in Trinity, was found in the nude and in possession of crack cocaine and a smoking device. Deputies determined Blackwell had no connection to the robbery but charged him with possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia. Blackwell was taken to the Lexington Magistrates Office and issued a $25,000 secured bond. He is scheduled to appear in court on Sept. 13.
“We were investigating a robbery at the Lucky R or Big R, as it’s referred to,” Sheriff David Grice said. “During the course of riding around, officers noticed a car up the road about a mile from the store parked alongside the bridge. They got out to investigate to see if it was connected to the robbery and observed an individual under the bridge in possession of what appeared to be a crack rock in a scantily clad state. His clothes were close by. We have no reason to believe he was involved in the robbery.”
Blackwell wasn’t the only serendipitous arrest deputies made while looking for the armed robbery suspect. Grice said officers also arrested a Randolph County man wanted on drug-related charges during the search.
Police continue to search for the suspect who is believed to be connected to other robberies in the area. Grice said the man entered the store dressed in a black shirt, black pants and black dress shoes, brandished a knife and left with an undisclosed amount of cash. The suspect also was wearing a black mask and is believed to be in his late teens or early 20s.
“We had a dog track on him that died,” said Grice. “We suspect he’s involved in at least two other robberies in the area. We don’t have any suspects yet. This location has been robbed three times. Thomasville Police Department assisted with the search and provided us a dog until we got there. The dog found the mask.”
The investigation is ongoing and Grice asks anyone with information to call DCSO at 474-2645 or Crime Stoppers of Thomasville at 476-8477.
Staff Writer Eliot Duke can be reached at 888-3578, or duke@tvilletimes.com.
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