Store owner detains robbery suspect

PORTSMOUTH, Va. (WAVY) - A thrift store owner chased after a man who robbed him, then detained him until police arrived to take the suspect into custody.

Portsmouth Police received a call at 5:14 p.m. Wednesday about a robbery to the Family Thrift Store in the 3900 block of Twin Pines Road.

According to the store owner, the suspect came in and asked for change. When the man was told he had to make a purchase in order to receive change, the owner says the man grabbed the cash register drawer, took money from it, then ran. The store owner took off after him.

When officers arrived on scene, they found the business owner detaining the suspect, according to police spokeswoman Jan Clark.

Officers arrested Vernon Lee Cherry III, 33, and charged him with robbery and possession of a controlled substance.

At the same time as the robbery Wednesday, Portsmouth Police also responded to a shooting report on the same street. Two men were shot on Georgia Court and one of the victims walked to the Gettymart in the 3800 block of Twin Pines Road.

One victim was transported to Maryview Hospital and the other was transported to Sentara Norfolk General Hospital. Both are expected to recover, according to Clark.

The shooting remains under investigation.