ELLIJAY, Ga. — A Georgia couple was thwarted from carrying out an attempted robbery at a convenience store when two customers intervened, authorities said.
Shawn Sutton, 39, and his wife, Melody Sutton, were arrested Monday, according to Gilmer County Sheriff’s Office online booking records. Shawn Sutton was charged with armed robbery, aggravated assault and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, online records show. Melody Sutton was charged with armed robbery, aggravated assault, intimidation and taking control of a substance, according to online records.
According to a news release from the Ellijay Police Department, Shawn Sutton entered an Ideal Mart in Ellijay just before 6:30 p.m. EST. The man pretended to be a customer buying an energy drink while his wife waited outside in the couple’s vehicle, WSB-TV reported.
According to police, Shawn Sutton wrapped a pair of women’s underwear around his neck and face and pulled a gun on the store clerk, demanding money.
At that point, two customers inside the store intervened, according to WSB. The first man pulled out his gun to stop the robbery attempt, while the second customer ran to his vehicle to retrieve his weapon.
Shawn Sutton then attempted to leave the store when the third customer, who was also armed, assisted the other customers, WTGS-TV reported.
Police said all three customers had legal permits to carry firearms.
When the first customer noticed that Shawn Sutton was disarmed, he instructed the other two customers not to shoot the suspect, police said in the news release.
When police arrived and attempted to take Sutton into custody, he initially resisted and refused their orders to stop, police said. One officer then employed a stun gun to subdue Sutton.
Other officers arriving at the scene found Melody Sutton in the couple’s car and took her into custody without incident, WTGS reported.
The two suspects remain in the Gilmer County Jail, with no bail set, online records show.
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