Update: An earlier version of this story included an incorrect charge that was inadvertently released by law enforcement. The story has been corrected.
A man accused of robbing the Newton Quick Food Mart No. 2 Shell station at gunpoint on Christmas night has turned himself.
Newton Police Lt. James Creel said Traquan Rashad Kidd, 23, of Decatur turned himself on Wednesday morning after he was wanted for the gas station hold up on Saturday and a bulletin was placed in the National Crime Information Center database.
Kidd has been charged with aggravated armed robbery with additional charges pending. Creel said the suspect has requested to have his attorney present after his rights were read. A bond hearing will take place either later Wednesday or Thursday in Newton County Justice Court.
Traquan Rashad Kidd
Creel said the suspect entered the convenience store between 9:30 and 10 p.m. on Christmas Day and was wearing a surgical mask during the incident, but he said the cashier and other customers inside the store recognized the suspect.
“He was a regular. They knew who he was,” Creel said. “It happened right before closing. He took an undetermined amount of cash from the cash register.
“The suspect didn’t try to hide the gun through a bag or anything like that. He brandished the handgun, put it to the cashier’s head and demanded the money from the cash register. Nobody saw from where he came or where he went after it was over. After he went behind the building, no one saw where he went.
“It was maybe the only store open on that afternoon. There may have been money at the store since Thursday night with banks closing early due to the holidays.”
Creel said did not indicate at this time if there would be additional arrests in connection with the case. It is still under investigation by the Newton Police Department.
