Columbus police arrested a man in connection with the robbery of a Walmart employee in the store’s parking lot this morning.
A Walmart employee was robbed in the store parking lot on Highway 45 North at 4:58 a.m. today, and Columbus police quickly apprehending the suspect.
The employee told Investigator Tommy Watkins that he was returning from a shift break when he stepped out of his vehicle and was approached by a man who had his hands in his pockets and appeared to have a weapon.
The frightened employee gave the man $20 and a Samsung Sidekick smartphone.
He then called 911 and was able to describe the suspect, who was scoping out an empty vehicle when police arrived.
Michael Payton, 21, was arrested and charged with robbery. The cell phone was recovered, but the $20 was not found, and Payton did not have a weapon when police arrested him.
“That’s another one off the street,” Watkins said. “I have not really spoke to (Payton) yet to see what his input is.”
Payton is being held at the Lowndes County Adult Detention Center.
In an unrelated incident, police continue to search for a suspect in a Monday shooting incident. Four to five shots were fired into a home at 2206 Eighth Ave. S. Monday night.
This morning Columbus Police Chief Selvain McQueen said it is unknown whether the shooter was driving or walking by when the shots were fired.
Carmen K. Sisson is the former news editor at The Dispatch.
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