By By Marianne Todd/The Meridian Star
March 7 2001
A Meridian man is being held on $50,000 bond after being charged Tuesday night with armed robbery and aggravated assault.
Sgt. Joe Hoadley of the Meridian Police Department said Derrick L. Houston, 21, of 5005 Druid Lane, was apprehended in Newton County on burglary charges over the weekend. He was identified through a photo line-up on Monday as a suspect in the Feb. 19 armed robbery of Little Joe's Package Store.
The aggravated assault charge was added because Houston allegedly hit a clerk over the head during the robbery. Hoadley said Houston allegedly entered the package store at 1720 Highway 19 North around 9:30 p.m., displayed a semi-automatic pistol and demanded money.
Hoadley said Houston was charged with aggravated assault instead of simple assault because the alleged assault took place during the commission of felony.
Houston, who is in custody the Lauderdale County Detention Facility, is being held on $25,000 bond for each felony charge.
The Meridian man also faces charges of simple assault and destroying private property. Bond was set at $400 for the misdemeanor charges.
Marianne Todd is a staff writer for The Meridian Star. E-mail her at mtodd@themeridianstar.com.