COVINGTON, Ga. – A Covington man remains behind bars after his Monday arrest for a Friday armed robbery of a clothing store.

According to a press release from Covington Police Department spokesman Officer Justin Stott, 38-year-old Wayne Armon Patterson was arrested Aug. 20.  

He had reportedly entered Citi Trends located at 3205 Elm St. Aug. 17 at approximately 5 p.m.,  looked at hats and inquired about employment before producing a handgun and telling an employee to “empty the cash register”.

According to a CPD incident report, after receiving the money, Patterson told the employee to go to the back of the store while he left.

The employee followed Patterson to the door where she met a witness. The employee told the witness that she had just been robbed and the two reportedly watched Patterson get into a silver/grey Dodge Avenger and drive toward Alcovy Road.  They were able to get the vehicle’s tag number.

Stott said Patterson’s vehicle was spotted on Highway 36 Monday. He was arrested after a traffic stop on Cedar Creek Drive.

Captain Ken Malcom said in a statement Wednesday morning that Patterson was taken into custody without incident as he left a location that was under surveillance by CPD.

“Great work by our patrol and CID team in making the arrest. I’d also like to thank NCSO (Newton County Sheriff's Office) and GSP (Georgia State Patrol) for their assistance in bringing this case to a close,” Malcom said.

Stott said the gun Patterson used during the robbery was recovered from the vehicle along with the clothing he wore.

Patterson was charged with armed robbery, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and possession of drugs.