Published: August 27, 2008 07:06 pm      

Two men arraigned in armed robbery case; more suspects sought

PRINCETON — Two Mercer County men were arraigned Wednesday on charges stemming from the Aug. 20 armed robbery at a Princeton area convenience store.

Derek R. Jenkins, 30, of Bluefield turned himself to officers with the Mercer County Sheriff’s Department Wednes-day. He was arraigned before Magistrate Mike Flanigan on charges of armed robbery and conspiracy to commit a felony.

Flanigan informed Jenkins that armed robbery carries a minimum penalty of 10 years imprisonment. Conspiracy to commit a felony is punishable with 1-5 years in prison and a fine of up to $10,000.

Jenkins’s bond was set at $20,000. Flanigan said Jenkins had the right to a preliminary hearing within 10 days of his arrest.

A second man, Derek Carr, 20, of Glenwood. a former employee of Blue Flash, was arrested at the Blue Flash central offices, said Cpl. L.B. Murphy.

Carr with charged with two counts of armed robbery, two counts of wanton endangerment with a firearm and a count of felony conspiracy, Murphy said. Bond was set at $50,000. The second robbery charges are in connection with the July 10 robbery of the Blue Flash off Sandlick Road in Glenwood. Carr’s preliminary hearing can be held within 10 days.

Neither Jenkins or Carr had posted bond Wednesday afternoon. Both men may face additional charges and more subjects may face arrest, Murphy said. Both Capt. M.L. Gills and Murphy are investigating.

The investigation started the evening of Aug. 20 when the Blue Flash Food Mart along Meadowfield Lane outside Princeton was robbed. A male subject allegedly brandished a gun and took an undisclosed amount of money before fleeing in a black car.