Man charged after airgun 'holdup' in lot
By John Joyce
Published in News on September 25, 2014 1:46 PM
jjoyce@newsargus.com
As Goldsboro police officers walked Marcus Montrell McLean to the back of a police cruiser in the rain outside a South Slocumb Street convenience store Wednesday morning, friends asked if there was anyone he wanted them to call.
McLean, 28, of 1604 E. Elm St., is charged with attempted robbery with a dangerous weapon and is currently being held in the Wayne County Jail under a $50,000 secured bond.
Goldsboro police swarmed the parking lot of Beestown Grocery, 905 S. Slocumb St., at about 10:45 a.m. in response to a report of an armed robbery in progress in the parking lot.
According to the police report, Aquell Jermaine Howell, 34, of South Taylor Street, arrived in the parking lot and McLean pointed what appeared to be a gun at him and said, "Get out of the car so I can get your money."
Howell got out of the car and McLean then allegedly said, "Your money or your life."
When Howell refused, McLean allegedly flicked a lit cigarette in his face and threw a beer bottle at his car, the report said.
Howell fled the scene and called police, who were already on their way.
Patrol officers arrived at the scene and found McLean inside the store. In a cooler next to him, they found a carbon dioxide-powered pellet gun, the report said.
McLean was detained as the officers continued their investigation.
At that time, McLean's friends began to take out their cell phones to call whomever it was he instructed them to and report that he had been arrested.
There was more shouting about police harassment and unfairness.
The witnesses at the scene declined to comment, but as one man walked away, he said that McLean and a friend were only "playing," and the police didn't give him a chance to explain.
Maj. Al King said Howell did not think McLean was playing at all.
"The victim took it as a big threat. It is just something (McLean) is going to have to play out in court," King said.
McLean is scheduled for a first appearance in Wayne County District Court today.