Second Suspect in Brookshire Bros. Robbery Apprehended

By Will Johnson

Messenger Reporter

CROCKETT – The second suspect alleged to have been involved in the Crockett Brookshire Brothers grocery store robbery on Dec. 12 has been apprehended, according to information received from the Crockett Police Department.

CPD Lt. Clayton Smith reported James Anthony Mitchell, 28, was arrested on Wednesday, Jan. 11 and was charged with aggravated robbery, arson and theft.

Smith indicated CPD officers were assisted by deputies from the Houston County Sheriff’s Office and law enforcement officials from the U.S. Marshals’ Service in Mitchell’s apprehension.

“The arson and theft charges are for another case that is pending against Mitchell,” Smith stated.

According to a CPD press release issued after the grocery store robbery, two male subjects entered the Brookshire Brothers store located at 401 N. Fourth St. in Crockett, at approximately 7:57 p.m.

“The suspects were in the store for a short time, casing the store out, before approaching the cashier and holding her at gun point,” CPD Lt. Clayton Smith stated.

The suspects directed the cashier to take them to the office. A second store employee working in the office noticed her co-worker was being held at gunpoint, opened the door to the office and allowed them in inside, Smith stated.

“The suspects ordered the two staff members to the floor at gunpoint while making threats to kill them. Once all the money was gathered into a bag, the suspects then walked out the front of the store and headed to Third St. The exact amount of cash at this time is undetermined, however, it is believed to be a substantial amount,” Smith said.

The aggravated robbery is considered as a first degree felony. The arson is considered as a second degree felony and the theft charge is classified as a third degree felony.

Under Section 12.32 of the Texas Penal Code, “An individual adjudged guilty of a felony of the first degree shall be punished by imprisonment in the institutional division for life or for any term of not more than 99 years or less than 5 years. In addition to imprisonment, an individual adjudged guilty of a felony of the first degree may be punished by a fine not to exceed $10,000.”

Section 12.33 of Texas Penal Code carries a sentence of two to 20 years in prison and up to a $10,000 fine while Section 12.34 of the Texas Penal Code carries a sentence of two to 10 years in prison and up to a $10,000 fine.

Mitchell was “No Bonded” on the arson and heft charges while his bail was set at $250,000 for the robbery.

Will Johnson may be reached via e-mail at [email protected].

Similar Posts

One Comment

Comments are closed.