Man arrested shortly after robbery

Published 12:00 am Tuesday, December 1, 2009

By Shavonne Potts
spotts@salisburypost.com
A Salisbury man was caught and charged with robbery nearly an hour after he walked into a Rushco convenience store demanding money.
Joseph “Joe” Michael Cerone, 21, of 111 Elmwood Drive, was charged Wednesday night with robbery with a dangerous weapon.
The Salisbury Police responded to Rushco No. 2, 2480 Statesville Blvd., around 10:22 p.m. The clerk said she’d been robbed at knife point by a man wearing a red T-shirt, red baseball cap, jeans and “unique” black and white athletic shoes. He had a white cloth over his face. Witnesses said the man ran on foot toward Ashbrook Road and Hendrix Barbecue.
Police searched the area and found Cerone walking near Ashbrook Road and Elmwood Drive. He was not wearing the red clothes witnesses reported seeing. He told authorities he’d just come from a friend’s house, which police were able to confirm.
He gave them permission to search his home. Officers found the red T-shirt, baseball cap and other items that matched those worn by the robber.
He was arrested and is being held at the Rowan County Detention Center under $10,000 bond.
See Friday’s Post for more details.