2 Bibb County men charged in robbery and shooting of man in Commerce

Wayne Ford, Athens Banner-Herald
·2 min read
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Two Bibb County men were arrested Saturday just hours after Commerce police said they shot a man during a robbery of the victim and his wife outside a business.

The 20- and 21-year-old suspects, both of Macon, were arrested at an apartment complex in nearby Banks County and each was charged with armed robbery, aggravated assault and possession of a firearm to commit a crime.

The shooting and robbery occurred shortly after noon at a business along U.S. Highway 441, according to Commerce police. A Maysville couple arrived at the business, where police said the robbers were already there seated in a silver Honda.

"They basically were sitting in a car near the business just waiting. It appears random, like they were waiting for somebody they found interest in and they picked this couple," Commerce Police Chief Ken Harmon said.

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The couple were returning to their car when the robbers held the 62-year-old woman at gunpoint. When her 68-year-old husband came to her aid, he was shot in the upper chest, police said.

The robbers then fled, but the victims were able to secure the last three digits of the license plate number, which later enabled investigators to determine the complete plate identification.

With help from deputies in Jackson and Banks counties, law enforcement "blanketed the area to look for the suspects."

Banks County sheriff's deputies located the Honda parked at Crossing Place Apartments, where with the help of residents, deputies were able to identify the suspects and place them in custody. One of the suspects, who is originally from Macon, listed the apartment as his home, according to jail records.

The suspects surrendered peacefully, according to the chief.

Police said the victim of the shooting was hospitalized and is recovering.

The suspects remained in the Jackson County Jail on Monday without bond.

This article originally appeared on Athens Banner-Herald: Macon men arrested in robbery, shooting along US Hwy. 441 in Commerce