By By Sharon White/The Meridian Star
An 18-year-old Meridian man has been charged with armed robbery after an off-duty police officer became suspicious Tuesday afternoon near a convenience store in West Meridian.
The suspect, Brian Dixon of 1001 34th Ave., is being held in the Lauderdale County Detention Facility pending a bond hearing later today.
The charges were made by Derrick Smith, a Gulfport man visiting Meridian who says Dixon pulled a knife on him and took his money.
McAlister said Smith told investigators he was sitting in his car with Dixon at Highway 11 South and Fifth Street just after 5 p.m. Tuesday when Dixon reached over and pulled a knife.
McAlister said Dixon fled the scene with an undisclosed amount of cash before being taken into custody by police officers a few blocks away at Pacific Street and 49th Avenue.
Sharon White is a staff writer for The Meridian Star. E-mail her at swhite@meridianstar.com.