A Cave Spring man was arrested in Polk County and then brought back to Rome to face robbery and assault charges. Reports said that Jerry Allen Newberry, 24, held a knife to the throat of the owner of a 2006 Chevrolet Silverado before hitting her in the head and taking her truck.
Newberry is charged with theft by taking, strongarm robbery, simple assault and aggravated assault.
A man who held a knife to a convenience store clerk and robbed her back in August has pleaded guilty.
Thomas Ray Tate went into the CVS Pharmacy on Maple Street and placed a bottle of dandruff shampoo on the counter.
When the clerk opened the register, Tate allegedly took a knife from his pocket and grabbed the clerk, holding her with her shirt, causing red marks on her chest.
Once Tate had the money, he allegedly ran from the store with the shampoo and $235 in cash.
A Rome officer spotted Tate running and stopped him at the intersection of Flannery Street and 18thStreet. He told the officer “he went that way” and then stated he was the victim.
When the suspect’s description was confirmed, the officer attempted to arrest Tate, who matched the description.
Tate refused to put his arms around his back, jerked his arm away from the officer and then struck the officer in the arms and chest. The officer noticed the knife. The officer lost his handcuffs during the struggle and Tate broke free and ran.
The officer tased Tate, who then complied and was placed in handcuffs.
Police found the knife, $235 and a glass cylinder with suspected cocaine.
Tate pleaded guilty to robbery, aggravated assault, obstruction of officers, possession of cocaine and possession of a weapon during the commission of a crime.
Then sentences handed down by Judge Tami Colston amounts to 25 years, with 15 to serve.
(WRGA)
