On July 9, Polk County police arrested a Rockmart resident for robbing a Cedartown convenience store clerk at knifepoint.

According to reports:

At 8:09 p.m., officers were dispatched to the Fast Food and Fuel convenience store at 1410 South Main Street where an armed robbery was in progress.

County police learned that Thomas C. Jones, 35 of 3276 Morgan Valley Rd, Rockmart, held a knife to the throat of attendant Barbara Kitchens’, 53 of Centre Ala.

Jones proceeded to empty out the cash register before beating the woman.

With the money in hand, Jones hopped on his bicycle and fled the area.

As officers arrived on the scene, they discovered the details of the crime and began their search.

An officer from the Cedartown Police Department surveyed Cason Rd., eventually finding the suspect lying in a wooded area near McKibben St.

“I give up,” Jones exclaimed when officers spotted him. Police found him to be in possession of a knife and a large sum of money. Officers report that some of the money had fresh bloodstains.

Jones was turned over to Polk County Police for completion of the investigation.

As for Kitchens, Polk EMS transported her to Polk Medical Center, where she was treated for the injuries she sustained during the robbery. Kitchens was apparently struck several times in the face, receiving lacerations, abrasions, and facial fractures.

Jones was transported to the Polk County Jail after being charged with armed robbery and aggravated assault.