By By Sheila Blackmon/The Meridian Star
June 26, 2001
Meridian police arrested two men Monday in connection with the armed robbery of Ryan's Family Steak House early last Friday morning.
Lt. Wade Johnson, public information officer for the Meridian Police Department, said Markives McAfee, 19, of 3567 Lauderdale-Toomsuba Road in Toomsuba, and Broderick Powell, 21, of 2102 18th Ave. in Meridian, are charged with armed robbery.
They were booked into the Lauderdale County Detention Facility at about 3:30 p.m. Monday after being on investigative hold for the Meridian Police Department's Criminal Investigations Division, jail officials said.
The two men allegedly approached two Ryan's employees as the employees were leaving the restaurant on South Frontage Road. Armed with a handgun and a long gun, the men then reportedly ordered the employees back into the building, and once inside, demanded money.
After allegedly taking an undisclosed amount of cash they fled on foot, "direction of travel unknown," Johnson said.
He said McAfee's bond was set at $25,000. Powell was denied bond because he was out on bond from an earlier felony shoplifting charge at the time of his arrest, Johnson said.
Investigators continue to search for two men in connection with an armed robbery at Dixie Pak-a-Sak earlier the same day. The victim reported a tall, slender black man entered the store at 2400 Grandview Ave. at about 3:30 p.m. Thursday and demanded money. Police officials say a possible accomplice waited outside.
Johnson said there is no reason to believe the two armed robberies are connected. Nor is there reason to believe these robberies are connected to the armed robbery of a home located at Davis Street and 33rd Avenue and another near 31st Avenue and 16th Street, he said. Both occurred within 6 1/2 hours of each other on June 7.
Anyone with information about these cases should call the Meridian Police Department Criminal Investigations Division at 485-1859 or 485-1893 or Crime Stoppers at 485-1860.
Sheila Blackmon is a staff writer for The Meridian Star. Call her at 693-1551, ext. 3275, or e-mail her at sblackmon@themeridianstar.com.