Robbery, credit card abuse investigated

Lt. Paul Tomplait of the Jasper County Sheriff's office is investigating two cases, one an armed robbery in the county, and another involving credit card abuse and identity theft of a county credit card.

An armed robber entered Solly's #3 package store near Brookeland about 6:30 p.m. Saturday, July 7. The man showed the clerk a gun and made off with "in excess of $2,000," according to Tomplait.

The clerk did not see which way the suspect went nor get any vehicle description, but the store does have video surveillance tapes. Tomplait said the sheriff's department is looking for a white male in his mid-forties, grey hair, between 5'7" to 5'10" tall, slim build.

In a case that just came to light, one of the county's credit card numbers was used in Richmond to charge more than $1,000 for lodging and gift cards. Tomplait has just begun investigating and there are no suspects at this time.

Commissioners recently learned of the identity theft. While it was not on the July 9 meeting agenda, County Auditor Dru Miller told the court she may recommend changing the credit card system used by the county.