PAULDING COUNTY, Ga. — A 51-year-old Murfreesboro, Tennessee man was convicted by a Paulding County Superior Court jury on May 23, 2019 on charges tied to a 2017 armed robbery at a Walmart store in Dallas, Ga.
According to the district attorney's office, Melvin Mitchell was convicted on charges of armed robbery, possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony, possession of marijuana and driving without a license.
Courtroom testimony indicated that on October 8, 2017, at about 11:30 p.m., Mitchell entered the Walmart store in the 3600 block of Charles Hardy Parkway in Dallas. He picked up a pack of gum and went to a register to pay.
When the cashier opened the drawer, he lifted his shirt, revealing a handgun in his waistband, threatening to harm the clerk if she did not give him money and remain quiet.
After he obtained the cash, Mitchell left the store and got into a vehicle to leave the area.
The D.A.'s office said that following the robbery, deputies and detectives from the Paulding County Sheriff's Office responded to begin their investigation.
The district attorney's office says that detectives from the Criminal Investigations Division were able to eventually obtain warrants and arrest Mitchell on October 12, 2017. The vehicle he fled in, the gun he used, even the clothes he wore the night of the robbery were eventually identified and located by detectives.
Mitchell remained in custody at the Paulding County Jail until he was able to post bond in March, 2018. The bonding company later came off of his bond and he was returned to custody. His trial began in May 2019.
Following his conviction, Paulding County Superior County Judge Dean Bucci sentenced Mitchell to 25 years with 13 years to be served in prison, and the remainder on probation.
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