Published: November 21, 2008 01:35 pm      

New Albany men are suspects in two Clarksville robberies

Pair being held in Floyd on other charges

Two men arrested in New Albany on Tuesday morning also are suspects in two robberies at Speedway at 1400 Blackiston Mill Drive.

According to a Clarksville Police Department police report, a suspect entered the Speedway about 12:30 a.m. Tuesday and allegedly pointed a silver automatic pistol at an employee and said, “I want the money. I want the money.” The suspect then reportedly walked around the counter and put the gun to the victim’s head and said, “open the register or safe.”

After the robbery was reported, Clarksville officers were contacted by the New Albany Police Department. NAPD said they had recovered $325 and a silver firearm from a vehicle they had pulled over.

Charles Jecker, 21, and Raymond Toops III, 21, both of New Albany, were charged with resisting law enforcement, possession of a handgun without a permit, violation of the Legend Drug Act and reckless driving. Jecker also was charged with operating while intoxicated in a manner that endangers and with a prior conviction.

The victim said the pistol was the same one used to rob him, according to the police report.

Officers looked at surveillance video from the store and identified Jecker as the possible suspect from the clothes he was wearing. A district manager of Speedway said the suspect appears to be the same person who robbed the store Oct. 25, as well.

According to the police report, Toops told officers that he met Jecker at Blackiston Bowling Alley and left with him. He said he was in the car when Jecker went inside and that the next thing he knew, Jecker returned with a handful of money.

The two men were taken to the Floyd County Jail for the charges they face in New Albany.