Man facing trial for armed robbery is arrested for stealing

Published 12:44 am Friday, April 7, 2017

GULFPORT (AP) — Gulfport police say a 70-year-old facing trial on a string of armed robberies has been arrested for sticking up a local store.

70-year-old Leon Ratliff Jr. was charged Tuesday with robbery at knifepoint of a Tobacco and Beer Discount House.

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Court documents show Ratliff was arrested in 2015 and charged with robbing four gas stations and a discount store. The trial is set to begin in July.

Police spokesman Sgt. Damon McDaniel says the suspect would enter the business, brandish a handgun, demand money and flee after obtaining an undisclosed amount of cash.