Facebook leads to suspect’s arrest
A Beaver County man wanted for robbing a Hanover Township convenience store Friday afternoon was arrested Monday after police officers received help from a Facebook post.
“We got tips on his location from social media,” said Hanover Township police Chief Stan Henry.
Charles McAfee, 40, of 457 Ridge Road, Georgetown, was taken into custody without incident at his sister’s home at 2038 Route 168 in Georgetown, said Henry.
According to court documents, McAfee entered Grab N Go, 1100 Steubenville Pike, about 2 p.m. Friday. An employee told Officer Dan McMurtrie that McAfee reached over the counter and started taking money from the register. When she attempted to stop him, she said he shoved her, took money from her hand and continued to take money from the register.
McAfee allegedly took about $325 before fleeing.
A second employee was able to identify McAfee from security footage.
While McMurtrie was interviewing employees, James Chappell came to the store and told the officer he was giving McAfee a ride when McAfee asked him to stop at the store to get a drink.
Chappell said when McAfee emerged, he said, “Hurry up and leave. I just robbed the place.”
Chappell said he told McAfee he didn’t want to be involved, stopped his vehicle and told McAfee to get out. He said McAfee exited the vehicle and ran north on Route 18 before entering a wooded area.
Officers from Weirton, W.Va., were called, including a K-9 officer, to search the area. After about 35 minutes, the search was called off.
Henry said the department posted photos of McAfee on Facebook that advised anyone with information not to approach him, but to call police immediately. Henry said someone who saw the post led officers to McAfee’s location in Georgetown.
McAfee is charged with robbery, theft, terroristic threats, harassment and simple assault.
He was arraigned before District Judge District Ethan Ward and placed in Washington County jail on $75,000 bond. A preliminary hearing is scheduled May 22 before District Judge Gary Havelka.