Newton Citizen

Photo by Howard Reed

COVINGTON -- The Newton County Sheriff's Office and surrounding agencies are on the lookout for four suspects in a Thursday afternoon armed robbery at a pawn shop.

Lt. Mark Mitchell said deputies were dispatched to Direct Gold Outlet, located at 11230B Ga. Highway 36, at about 12:40 p.m. after the store clerk called 911.

Mitchell said the lone female clerk told deputies that four black men entered the store, brandished a handgun and tied her up at the back of the store. The suspects got away with an undetermined number of long guns and handguns, Mitchell said.

The federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives will be working with the NCSO on the investigation and will offer a reward for information leading to the arrests of the suspects, Mitchell said. Details of the reward have yet to be determined.

He said the pawn shop clerk was unable to give detailed descriptions of the suspects, saying only that one was wearing a lighter-colored hoodie. The suspects got away in a late-model white, four-door vehicle, possibly a Toyota or Nissan, Mitchell said.

"The last direction of travel was north on Highway 36," Mitchell said.

The store clerk was able to free herself and call 911, according to Mitchell. She was not injured in the incident.

Direct Gold Outlet is located at the intersection of Ga. Highway 36 and County Road 213.

Detectives with the Sheriff's Office are reviewing security camera tapes from the store, Mitchell said.

Anyone with information about this incident is asked to call the NCSO at 678-625-1400. Tips can be given to the NCSO anonymously at 678-625-5007 or through the website at www.newtonsheriffga.org and clicking on "anonymous tips." Those who want a response from NCSO personnel should leave contact information.