Albemarle County Police apprehended an armed robbery suspect Saturday night who allegedly pocketed 75 cents in his criminal undertaking.
Sgt. Todd Hopwood, evening supervisor for the Albemarle County Police Department, said the suspect was arrested after threatening an individual outside the Seven Day Junior on Richmond Road.
Two officers detained the suspected robber upon their immediate arrival without struggle at the crime scene at 9:31 p.m. Saturday based on a description given by the victim, Hopwood said. The suspect later was identified as 23-year-old Rondell Mondria Cleaton of Lawrenceville, Va.
The victim, a 30-year-old male and Albemarle County resident whose name has not been disclosed, called 911 and the two officers reported to the scene.
The victim reported that he stopped his vehicle at the convenience store to ask Cleaton if he needed a ride.
According to employees at the Seven Day Junior, the store was closed Saturday night, having suffered a power outage due to Hurricane Isabel and thus no lights were functioning as of the time the armed robbery reportedly occurred.
When Cleaton got into the vehicle outside the darkened store, he allegedly displayed a "kitchen-style" knife and asked the driver for money. The victim told police no struggle followed and he was not injured in any way.
Although the police report gave no mention as to how Cleaton exited the vehicle, the victim reported asking Cleaton to get another ride and then sped away to call police.
Despite the unscathed departure of the victim, the preliminary investigation conducted by Albemarle Police revealed the suspect took 75 cents from the victim's car console before exiting the vehicle.
Albemarle County Police Cpl. Tripp Martin said the amount taken during the robbery does not make a difference in the charge.
"Assault at knifepoint is still chargeable, definitely," Martin said.
Hopwood also said the unusually small amount of money does not compare to the charge.
"Seventy five cents is not worth the crime to me," Hopwood said. "Armed robbery is a felony."
The suspect was charged with armed robbery and held without bond since Saturday because he is not from Albemarle County. The bond hearing is scheduled for today.
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