Man indicted for armed robbery

A Russellville man accused of robbing a local business at gunpoint in April was indicted by the November grand jury, officials said.
Christopher Antonio Candler, 26, 520 Hamilton St., Russellville, was indicted for first-degree robbery, Franklin County District Attorney Joey Rushing said.

Rushing said the indictment stems from an incident that took place on April 27 at a local motel.

According to Russellville Police Chief Chris Hargett, the department received a report that a black male had walked into the Budget Inn on U.S. 43 about 8 a.m. and pointed a gun at the clerk and demanded money.

Hargett said the suspect took $250 from the cash register before fleeing the scene.
During the investigation, Hargett said investigators found clothing matching what the suspect had been wearing in the vicinity of the motel.
Hargett said based on the clothing they found, officers were able to determine that one of the patrol units had dealt with the suspect on a previous shift.
Hargett said the video from the patrol unit featuring the suspect showed he was wearing the same clothes as the ones found in the area of the robbery.
Once the suspect had been identified, Hargett said investigators were able to locate Candler and take him into custody later that afternoon.
“The officers and investigator in this case did an excellent job getting this case wrapped up in such a timely manner,” Hargett said following Candler’s arrest.

“From the time it was reported until the suspect was in custody it was only about five hours. I appreciate their diligence in getting a dangerous person off the streets.”
Police investigator Sgt. Jake Tompkins said most of the money from the robbery was recovered and no one was injured during the incident.
Rushing said Candler’s case should be placed on the criminal trial docket in April.