Suspect in robbery is manhandled by store owner

A 26-year-old Crumpler man was wrestled to the ground following the attempted strong-armed robbery of a local convenience store.

Richard Wade Cook of 193 N.C. 16 North is charged with breaking and entering, larceny, attempted common law robbery, simple assault and communicating threats after being captured at Pine Valley Grocery.

According to a report filed by Det. Ricky Lyall of the Alleghany County Sheriff's Department, Cook was inside the grocery on N.C. 113 just before 6 a.m. when owner Barry Sturgill arrived to open. Specifically, the report said Cook was looking at Sturgill through the door window as the store owner was preparing to unlock the door.

When Sturgill opened the door, the man, later identified as Cook, told him he didn't want to cause trouble and that he wanted to go to jail.

Sturgill told his wife Sherry to call authorities.

After that, Sturgill placed his money box on the counter and Cook knocked movies from a store shelf and moved toward the money box.

Sturgill said Cook then grabbed him and hit him in the mouth with his fist and attempted to get the money box. Sturgill struck Cook and Cook then tried to throw him on the floor. Instead, Sturgill put Cook to the floor and held him down. All the while, Sherry Sturgill was on the phone with dispatchers keeping them updated.

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