Suspects in armed robbery of Fayette store remain in jail

By JOHN MUNFORD
jmunford@TheCitizenNews.com

Two Clayton County teens accused of robbing a convenience store in east Fayette County remain in jail after their cases were bound over Tuesday to Superior Court.

Jerome Daniel Price, 19, and Warren Devale Balam Jr., 18, are charged with one felony count each of armed robbery for the July 1 holdup of Jackson's General Store on Ga. Highway 54 East at the intersection of Corinth Road.

Magistrate James White bound the cases over to superior court because Georgia law requires a superior court judge to consider bond for armed robbery offenses.

A third suspect, a juvenile who police believe brandished a hunting knife and took the money from the store, also faces one felony count of armed robbery, two felony counts of aggravated assault and one felony count of kidnapping.

Price dropped Balam and the juvenile near the store before the robbery and picked them up afterward, police said. Balam entered the store after the juvenile, wearing a Halloween mask to conceal his identity, police said.

Balam served as a lookout, police said.

The juvenile disguised his face with a black bandana just below his eyes, police said. He left the store with $500 in cash, 30 lottery tickets and some cigars, police said.

The case is being worked by the Fayette County Sheriff's Department.