GPD nabs Max-Mart robbers

Seven days after the City recorded its first robbery of the year, the case has been solved, and two bandits are in custody.

Greenville Police Chief Lonzo Ingram said Tuesday evening that his officers have worked tirelessly since the incident occurred.

As a result, two Greenville men are in jail, charged with five separate counts each of robbery in the first degree.

""Willie Scarver, also known as Lump Lump', a 20-year-old black male from Roosevelt Street was in custody in the Butler County Jail for city misdemeanor charges, and a probation violation," said Ingram. "Our investigators developed information that placed Scarver as a suspect in the Max-Mart South robbery."

Ingram said that further investigation identified the second suspect. "William Lamar Burnett, also known as Hill Billy', a 26-year-old black male from South Park Street was identified as a suspect through further investigation of the case," he said.

"At 9:45 a.m. Tuesday, officers of the Greenville Police Department, along with assisting deputies from the Butler County Sheriff's Office took Burnett into custody after he arrived at a residence located at 108 Carver Circle," Ingram said.

Ingram said that Scarver was armed with a weapon at the time of his apprehension. "When Scarver was taken into custody, he was armed with a .38 caliber revolver," Ingram said. "Evidence indicates that this revolver was stolen from Ron Newton during the robbery.

"Burnett and Scarver have each been charged with five separate counts of robbery in the first degree; this comes as a result of five separate victims being robbed at the Max-Mart South," Ingram said.

"We appreciate the cooperation and assistance of the Butler County Sheriff's Office," said Ingram.

"I would also like to commend our investigators, especially Lt. Randy Courtney for the work done on this case," he said.

Mayor Dexter McLendon also commended the officers.

"I'm real proud of our men, for what they have done to get this solved," McLendon said.

The Newtons also expressed their gratitude for a job well done.

"Ron and I are real proud of the job our police department has done," said Edna Newton, co-owner of the Max-Mart South. "Investigators John Bottoms and Lt. Randy Courtney have been real helpful, and kept us well-informed."

Newton said she is still worried, though.

"We are terribly concerned now, because we are afraid that

just like every other time law enforcement brings dangerous criminals to justice, justice turns them back out-we want to be assured that these people will not be out on the street again," she said.