Man arrested after Dollar General robberies; clerks threatened, shot fired

A 28-year-old man was arrested on Jan. 14 in connection with two armed robberies at Dollar General stores in Stark County, authorities said, after investigators say he threatened store clerks with a knife and stole more than $800 in cash. The arrests followed a tense encounter that involved two small children and ended with a shot fired but no officers injured.

Criminal complaints allege the suspect brandished a knife during separate robberies at locations on Waynesburg Drive SE and Cleveland Ave SE. In one incident a clerk reported a knife held to her throat, and in the other a clerk reported a knife pressed against her back. Investigators say the combined cash taken exceeded $800.

After the second robbery the suspect fled in a vehicle with two children, ages 10 months and 5 years, in the car. Deputies later attempted to take the suspect into custody, and prosecutors say he resisted arrest. During the confrontation he wrestled with an officer for control of the officer’s firearm and fired a shot before being subdued. No law enforcement officers were injured in the encounter. Charges filed include multiple counts of aggravated robbery, child endangerment, failure to comply and theft, with additional charges possible as the investigation continues.

The sheriff’s office and cooperating agencies handled the response and announced the arrest and charges. The incidents are now in the hands of prosecutors, who will determine whether more counts are warranted based on the ongoing investigation.

For Dollar General clerks and other front-line retail workers the events underscore familiar workplace risks. Being directly threatened with a weapon is a traumatic event that can affect employees’ sense of safety, attendance, and job performance. Stores that experience robberies often face short-term staffing strain while shifts are covered and longer-term morale and retention challenges as employees weigh whether to remain on the sales floor.

Employers typically respond to such incidents by reviewing safety protocols, assessing store-level security measures and offering employees access to counseling or incident debriefs. Workers and managers may expect additional trainings on how to handle robberies, refreshed procedures for closing and register access and renewed coordination with local law enforcement.

As prosecution moves forward, the immediate implications for readers are heightened attention to store security and support for clerks who were directly threatened. Expect local authorities to release further details as charges develop and for store leadership to address employee safety measures in the coming days.