UPDATE (Nov. 12, 8:10 p.m.): Newton County Sheriff's Office has made an arrest in connection with the three commercial robberies reported on Thursday night and Friday morning.
Tommy Ferrell, 44, of Covington, was arrested in Athens and charged with the robbery in connection with all three robberies, NCSO Sgt. Cortney Morrison said. Ferrell was transported to the Newton County Jail from Athens.
"The vehicle that investigators believe was used during the robberies was located off Oak Hill Road and is awaiting processing by Crime Scene after the search warrant is signed," Morrison said.
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NEWTON COUNTY, Ga. – Deputies believe the same man is responsible for three snatch-and-grab robberies that occurred overnight in the county.
According to Newton County Sheriff’s Office spokesperson Sgt. Cortney Morrison, the Highway 81 Texaco was hit at 10:30 p.m. last night while a Flash Foods on Salem Road and the Murphy Gas Station on Salem Road were hit within 30 minutes of each other early today at 3 a.m. and 3:30 a.m.
The male reportedly went into the stations to make a purchase with cash and when the registers opened, he snatched the money and ran from the stores. No weapon was ever seen.
The subject got away with an undisclosed amount of money.
Morrison said the NCSO Major Felonies Unit has been working all night on the cases and are confident the same male is responsible for all three due to the close proximity, time, location and method.
She said once the subject is positively identified, warrants will be obtained. Investigators are confident they are close to obtaining probable cause for an arrest.
The Covington News will provide updates as they become available.
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Managing Editor Jackie Gutknecht contributed to this report.