Man arrested for armed robbery

Mebratu Ogbazgi Mehur

A Russellville man was arrested last week after authorities said he robbed a local restaurant at gunpoint.

Mebratu Ogbazgi Mehur, 27, 100 Holiday Plaza Apartments, Russellville, was arrested on charges of first-degree robbery and second-degree assault, Russellville Police Chief Chris Hargett said.

According to Hargett, the incident occurred at 11:45 p.m. on Sept. 30 at the McDonald’s restaurant located on U.S. 43 in Russellville.

Hargett said the suspect entered the restaurant through a side door around the time the employees were preparing to close the business for the evening.

Hargett said the suspect was armed with a 12-guage pump shotgun, and after entering the business, the suspect forced the employees and one customer to the rear of the store and ordered the manager to open the safe.

According to police investigator Lt. Scotty Lowery, after gaining entry to the safe, the suspect then stole over $1,500 in cash and then left the business.

Lowery said police were able to obtain the suspect’s physical description and a vehicle description, which led Russellville officers to an apartment complex in Russellville where the suspect was located and taken into custody without incident.

Hargett said investigators were able to retrieve the weapon used during the robbery along with over $1,500 cash and other items.

During the robbery, the customer that was inside the store received a minor injury and was treated at Russellville Hospital and later released, Lowery said.

“This was a very dangerous situation, and we are just thankful that no one was seriously injured and that there were no fatalities as a result of this robbery,” Hargett said.

“We are glad that our officers were able to track down this suspect and take him into custody so that we don’t have someone like this on our streets.”

At a bond hearing on Wednesday, District Judge Paula McDowell set Mehur’s bond at $400,000.

Mehur is still in custody at the Franklin County Jail.