On Thursday, November 12, 2009, Lt. Tim Hickman issued the following news release from the Rockbridge County Sheriff's Office:
"On November 12, 2009, the Rockbridge County Sheriff’s Office made an arrest in connection with the two armed robberies at Stop-In Food Stores located at 257 W. Midland Trail in Lexington. The armed robberies occurred on October 2nd and October 14th of 2009.
"Thomas Anthony Witten of Lexington, VA has been arrested and charged with two counts of Armed Robbery and is currently being held at the Rockbridge Regional Jail.
"A preliminary court date has not been set."
Witten, 20, of 274 Edgar's Way, Lexington, Virginia, is being held on $5,000 secured bond in the Rockbridge Regional Jail.
Witten is the alleged robber who entered the Stop-In store in the middle of the night on both occasions and held up the same late night store clerk. According to reports, he left the store, apparently took a left around the west side of the building, went up a bank and disappeared. In both situations, he was armed with a knife, the second time slipping into the store's front office, waiting for the clerk to come out of the back room where supplies are kept.
Witten seemed to have knowledge about the store's operations too, which may have helped lead the Sheriff's Dept. to the arrest. He allegedly knew that, at least at one time, there was a roll of quarters in the cash drawer, for example. And both times, he apparently took with him the same two different cartons of cigarettes. Since many individuals don't normally smoke two different brands, there's reason to believe that the investigation of the case has not ended with Witten's arrest, but no additional details with respect to the case were released as of press time.
The store's video camera was able to capture images of the robber, but his head was covered to the point that he apparently wasn't recognizable. Unconfirmed reports about the robber's footwear helping to lead to the suspect's arrest could not be confirmed as of press time either.
Witten faces years in jail if convicted. Mandatory sentencing for armed robbery in Virginia as well as typical sentences in cases like this often involves as many as ten years in the clink.
The robber failed to get more than $200 in either case, plus the cartons of cigarettes.
(UPDATE and editor's note: after we went to press on Tuesday evening (Nov. 17, 2009) it was learned that Mr. Witten appears to be a brazen person indeed.
For last Wednesday afternoon, he visited the store again, but dressed casually, and purchased some Newport cigarettes. (This brand, along with Marlboros, were the two kinds he stole on both robbery events).
A clerk reported to the store's manager that a young, short man had just purchased some Newport cigarettes. After the manager checked the store's video tape, she apparently recognized his voice and called the Sheriff's Department.
Witten was arrested by deputies shortly thereafter.
Witten's voice then, figured in his capture. In at least one of the robberies he can be heard commenting something like "I know you have insurance, so give me the money" (or words to that effect).
On both robbery occasions he sported a long bladed knife as well.
Who he gave the Marlboros to is an interesting question.
Witten, a former Kendal employee, has drawn the attention of local authorities before.
A check of the Rockbridge Weekly's electronic police records includes the following entries that are associated with Mr. Witten (or sometimes written "Whitten"). At one time, Witten lived at 176 Mount Vista Drive, Lexington.
• On January 20, 2009, a Michael Whitten, also of 176 Mount Vista Drive, reported to the Sheriff's Department that his VISA card was missing and had been used to make a $280 purchase.
• On March 27, 2009, he was arrested for possession of marijuana, listing an address of 176 Mount Vista Dr., Lexington.
• On September 29, 2009, he was arrested for underage alcohol possession by the Lexington police.
• On October 1, 2009, he was arrested for possession of marijuana and for driving under the influence in Lexington.) |  | A W. Midland Trail Stop-In store video on October 14, 2009 shows a robbery suspect entering the store early in the morning. That suspect has been identified as Thomas Anthony Witten, 20, of 274 Edgar's Way, Lexington, Va.
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