PARKERSBURG, WV (LOOTPRESS) – A suspect from out-of-state has been charged in an investigation stemming from an armed robbery in the Wood County area on Tuesday,
According to the Parkersburg Police Department, on Tuesday, 04/02/24 at 9:58 PM, members of the Parkersburg PD responded to reports of an armed robbery that had just occurred at a business located in the 1200 block of Murdoch Avenue.
Law enforcement learned through the investigation that at the time of the robbery, there were two employees working at the business when a male subject entered the establishment through the front entrance wielding a firearm.
Upon entry, the male subject reportedly pointed the firearm at an employee working behind the counter and demanded all the cash from the register. The second employee was forced to lie down on the floor.
The suspect is also said to have demanded the employees hand over any money they had on their person while allegedly telling the employees he would kill them if they contacted law enforcement and demanding their identification.
The suspect then fled the business after obtaining over $800 in cash and cigarettes.
The investigation continued into the early morning hours of 4/3/24 and lead to the determination of Michael Ray Atkinson, 42 of Coolville, Ohio, as a suspect.
It was also discovered that Mr. Atkinson was wanted as a Fugitive from Justice out of the State of Ohio and had outstanding warrants in Wood County for Destruction of Property, Domestic Assault, Grand Larceny, and Burglary. Atkinson was revealed to have possibly in Washington County, Ohio after the robbery but had returned to Parkersburg.
At approximately 2:24 AM on Wednesday, officers located Mr. Atkinson in the 800 Block of Garfield Avenue and took him into custody without incident. At the time of the arrest, there was evidence located on Mr. Atkinson that connected him to the robbery.
Mr. Atkinson was then transported to the Parkersburg Police Department and was processed on the outstanding warrants while additionally being charged with 1st Degree Robbery.
Mr. Atkinson was arraigned in Wood County Magistrate Court and then confined in the North Central Regional Jail to await subsequent court proceedings.