A 28-year-old suspect in two July armed robberies has been arrested in Clayton County, Gwinnett County police said.

Willie James Rivers, of Loganville, is charged with two counts of armed robbery and four counts of aggravated assault. He allegedly attempted to rob a Stars and Strikes bowling alley and a Homestay Suites hotel. It is unclear whether the Clayton County arrest was connected to these charges or separate charges, a Gwinnett County police spokeswoman said.

READ | 'I've been watching you': Home intruder rapes Gwinnett woman, cop says

On July 14, Rivers attempted to rob Homestay Suites in Lilburn at gunpoint, police say. Rivers walked into the hotel around 4:35 a.m. and pointed a gun at the clerk, saying nothing, a police report says. When the clerk indicated he could not open a safe, Rivers made him sit on the floor before fleeing the scene, the report says.

On July 22, Rivers robbed Stars and Strikes in Loganville, pointing a gun at multiple people before fleeing, police say. Someone from the bowling alley chased after Rivers when he fled, but Rivers shot at the person multiple times before getting away.

Rivers is currently being held at the Clayton County Jail.

Like Gwinnett County News on Facebook | Follow us on Twitter

Stay up to the minute with breaking news on Channel 2 Action News This Morning

Visheslav Feder, 29, of Lilburn was arrested in connection with the death of 25-year-old Avery Birthrong.

About the Author

Keep Reading

Overnight storms toppled a tree at the intersection of Centra Villa Drive and Honeysuckle Lane between the Adams Park and Venetian Hills neighborhoods in southwest Atlanta on Thursday, June 26, 2025. (Ben Hendren for the AJC)

Credit: Ben Hendren for The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Featured

Bumper to bumper traffic travels northbound on the I-85 just past the I-285 overpass, also known as Spaghetti Junction, in Doraville. In late May and June of this year, several drivers have pulled out weapons and fired guns at other motorists on metro Atlanta roadways. (Jason Getz/AJC 2023)

Credit: Jason Getz / Jason.Getz@ajc.com