A 22-year-old man has been charged in connection with an armed robbery at a pawn shop in Vidalia earlier this week followed by a shootout with police, according to authorities.
Vonnie Harris III faces numerous charges, including armed robbery, possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony, five counts of aggravated assault on a peace officer, and another four counts of aggravated assault, the Georgia Bureau of Investigation said in a news release.
He was being held at the Toombs County Detention Center without bail.
The alleged hold-up occurred about 4 p.m. Wednesday at the Vidalia Pawn Shop in the 400 block of North Street West, according to the Vidalia Police Department.
Officers responded to the location after reports of a robbery that happened moments before they arrived.
An employee at the business told deputies that the suspect walked in with two knives and demanded firearms.
The man allegedly fled with the stolen handguns, plus ammunition and several magazines, the GBI said in the statement.
Police caught up with Harris a short time later on nearby Peachtree Street behind the pawn shop, where the suspect allegedly opened fire, police said.
“Harris fired multiple rounds from a handgun at officers, striking two patrol vehicles,” the incident report alleges.
No one was injured or wounded, and it was unclear whether officers returned fire.
Harris was taken into custody without incident at Montgomery Street and North Street in Vidalia, about two blocks from the scene of the robbery, according to the report.
Officials continue to investigate the case and are asking the public to contact the GBI at 478-374-6988 or the Vidalia Police Department at 912-537-4123 with any further information.
Tips can also be submitted by calling 1-800-597-TIPS(8477), online at https://gbi.georgia.gov/submit-tips-online, or by downloading the See Something, Send Something mobile app.
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