Robbery suspect busted for possession with intent
By DON FLETCHER
News Staff Writer
An Atmore man, sought for most of two weeks by city police as the primary suspect in an armed robbery on Patterson Street, was charged additionally with two felony drug violations and two misdemeanors after officers finally caught him at home and tried to arrest him for the robbery.
Police, who had been looking for 49-year-old Johnny C. Patterson since shortly after the September 14 heist took place on Patterson Street, located him at his residence — also on Patterson Street — around 1:40 p.m. on September 27 and tried to serve the robbery warrant on him.
According to police reports, Patterson and the robbery victim “disagreed on Patterson’s assertion that the victim owed him money.” To emphasize that assertion, Patterson struck the victim in the face with a handgun and took his cell phone.
The victim suffered superficial wounds to his face and was treated at Atmore Community Hospital and released.
When police arrived at Patterson’s apartment to serve the robbery warrant, he attempted to run out the back door but was apprehended after a brief struggle. While officers were handcuffing him, they detected a strong odor of marijuana from inside his apartment.
Patterson reportedly gave them consent to enter his living quarters. Officers discovered inside the apartment approximately 14 grams of crack cocaine, a dozen Ecstasy pills and a digital scale.
The first-degree robbery warrant was served on Patterson, who was also charged with one count each of possession of a controlled substance, possession of a controlled substance with intent to distribute, possession of drug paraphernalia and attempting to elude a police officer.
The Atmore man was booked into the Escambia County Detention Center, where he remained — without bond — early Tuesday, October 3.