Three local robberies linked; authorities seek help from public
By JOHN A. WINTERS
john@newnan.com
Coweta authorities believe three convenience store armed robberies are related and are asking the public’s help in identifying a potential witness.
The masked gunmen in all three robberies physically assaulted clerks, including one clerk who was shot.
The second was on July 23 at the Avery Park Chevron off U.S. 29 North in Newnan, where a clerk was attacked. The most recent was Aug. 6 at the Coweta Country Junction at the corner of Hal Jones and U.S. 29 North, where the owner was pistol whipped as well.
“The three armed robberies have striking similarities and authorities are convinced they are linked,” said Investigator Mark Callahan with the Coweta County Sheriff’s Office.
In the latest armed robbery, a man was seen on a security video walking out of the store soon after the two gunmen left.
The man left before sheriff’s deputies arrived.
“We believe he is a potential witness and want to talk with him about anything he might have seen,” said Major Jimmy Yarbrough with the sheriff’s office.
Anyone with information as to the identity of the man should call the sheriff’s office at 770-253-1503 and ask for Yarbrough or Callahan. Newnan Police Department detectives Jim Beneke and Beatrice Bugg, who are handling the two city cases, can be reached at 770-253-2355.
