MOUNT VERNON — James E. McCoy, 37, of Mount Vernon, was taken to the Knox County Jail on Wednesday afternoon after allegedly robbing Hunnicut’s Jewelry on South Main Street.
Store owner Charlie Hunnicut called the Mount Vernon Police Department at about 1:45 p.m., after McCoy came into the store, approached the counter and demanded all the store’s money. McCoy told Hunnicut he had a gun, which eventually proved to be a finger in his coat pocket.
“I talked with him and calmed him down, and he finally showed me he had no gun,” said Hunnicut. “He said he was desperate. I gave him $30 and he left.” Hunnicut gave a description of the suspect to the police department, telling them he was traveling south on Main Street.
A report from the MVPD states that officer Michael Wheeler pursued McCoy and caught up with him in a parking lot near The Station Break where Knox County Sheriff’s Deputy Wayne Noggle had detained McCoy in his cruiser. McCoy stated he “was tired of being broke and homeless” and that he had a drug problem.
Retrieved from McCoy’s possession during a pat down were the $30 in cash plus a note stating “Money out drawer now or ur gonna get shot fast.”
“I’ve been in business over 40 years. This is the first time this has ever happened, and I hope it’s the last,” said Hunnicut.
