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Smithfield 7-Eleven robbed at gunpoint, customer catches suspect

Posted at 9:38 AM, Jan 06, 2016
and last updated 2016-01-06 09:41:16-05

Smithfield, Virginia – Smithfield Police have arrested one of two men involved in the armed robbery at the 7-Eleven located at 603 West Main Street.

The robbery happened around 2:15am.

Police say 36 year-old Clarence Roby walked into the 7-Eleven around 1:30am and went straight to the restroom.

Roby then walked around the store and left without purchasing anything, but stayed in the parking lot.

Police say about 20 minutes later, Roby is seen on surveillance video talking to another person in the parking lot just before the robbery took place.

The other person then ran into the 7-Eleven and robbed the clerk at gunpoint while Roby remained in the parking lot as a lookout.

After the robbery, they both ran off and a customer in the store at the time of the robbery chased after them.

The customer was able to catch Roby and held him until police arrived.

Roby was taken into custody by police without incident and has been charged with robbery, use of a firearm in commission of a felony, conspiracy to commit robbery, and conspiracy to use a firearm in the commission of a felony.

He is currently being held at the Western Tidewater Regional Jail.

Police are still looking for the other person, described as a black male, approximately 5’7″ with a medium build, last seen wearing a  camouflage jacket and blue jeans. Police say he is possibly homeless.

Anyone with information is asked to call the Isle of Wight Crime Line at 1-888-Lock-U-Up.