By By Chris Allen Baker/staff writer
Jan. 13, 2002
On the run for about 48 hours and crossing a state line did not help 21-year-old Lee Amerson, who was arrested Saturday as a second primary suspect in the armed robbery of a Lauderdale County couple.
Amerson, of 1730 26th Ave., was arrested in Alabama early Saturday after the Lauderdale County Sheriff's Department received an anonymous tip through Crimestoppers just after midnight, said Maj. Ward Calhoun.
Calhoun said extradition procedures will begin Monday.
Amerson will face a charge of armed robbery of Meridian businessman Ralph Morgan and his wife, Elizabeth. Two armed and masked suspects dressed in camouflage clothing entered the Morgan home through a back window about 6:30 a.m. on Thursday. The gunmen tied up the couple, threw them into a closet and raided their house, taking an undisclosed amount of money, handguns and jewelry.
Morgan told officers the gunmen stayed in his house for about 30 minutes and they are believed to have exited through the same window.
Amerson will join Tracey Moore, 28, of 1924 26th Ave., who was arrested at his home Friday by the East Mississippi Drug Task Force without incident. Charged with armed robbery, he bonded out on a $50,000 bond later in the day.
Lauderdale County Sheriff Billy Sollie said evidence found at the Morgan's home led to the identification of the suspects.
Joining the Lauderdale County Sheriff's Department on the case were the Meridian Police Department and the East Mississippi Drug Task Force, among other agencies.