By allowing ads to appear on this site, you support the local businesses who, in turn, support great journalism.
Five arrested after Monday armed robbery
Placeholder Image

An armed robbery of a weapon and a gaming system Monday evening led to the arrest of five people in the Oak Hill area. Police are still searching for a sixth person in connection with the incident.

According to Newton County Sheriff's Office Public Information Officer Cortney Morrison, the victim called authorities and told them he had been robbed at gunpoint at his home Monday night. The man told deputies that he had spoken to his friend, 21-year-old Frank Edward Nash, about his desire to sell a gaming system and a weapon. Nash reportedly told him he knew of someone who wanted to buy those items and that they would stop by the victim's home on Sunflower Lane that night.

The victim told deputies that four men later drove to his home. He showed the group the gaming system and they asked him to get the weapon and told him they would get their money together while he was gone.

When the victim returned, the driver (whose identity is unknown) reportedly pulled a gun and the group drove off with the gaming system and the victim's weapon. According to Morrison, the victim said that he heard a gunshot as the car drove away but could not tell if they shot at his home, or who was doing the shooting.

Nash was arrested later that evening and charged with armed robbery.

The county's criminal investigation division (CID) was called in to investigate. They placed two men believed to be involved in the armed robbery under surveillance.

About 3 p.m. Wednesday off Ga. Highway 81 near the Laurel Ridge subdivision, they watched as a vehicle belonging to the subjects left a residence. Investigators attempted to make a traffic stop since warrants had been taken out on the two suspects, but the suspects refused to stop, according to Morrison, and a chase ensued. The vehicle was finally stopped on Ga. Highway 212 near Wehut Road and the South River Gun Club.

Investigators arrested 33-year-old Billie Jo Owenby for criminal trespass, aiding or permitting another to escape lawful custody and possession of methamphetamine, and 25-year-old Joshua Steven Lusk was charged with possession of methamphetamine, reckless driving, overtaking a school bus, armed robbery and possession of arms by a convicted felon.

Two other people in the vehicle, 51-year-old Susan Roper and 32-year-old Tiffany Mitchell, were both arrested for outstanding warrants for criminal trespassing in unrelated cases.

The case remains under investigation as authorities search for the fourth robbery suspect.