Published: October 02, 2008 11:10 pm      

Two charged in separate robbery incidents

blivingston@themeridianstar.com



Officials with the Meridian Police Department said Thursday afternoon they have charged two Meridian men in connection with two unrelated robbery incidents.

Lt. James Sharpe, interim commander of the MPD's Investigative Division, said Michael McDade and Demetrice Latrell Oliver are currently being held in the Lauderdale County Adult Detention Facility awaiting further actions in their cases.

McDade, 33, was placed into custody Wednesday afternoon to be questioned for an armed robbery that occurred in the parking lot of the Sam's Club business in southern Meridian. He was formally charged late Wednesday night with armed robbery.

"He was posing as a security officer when he allegedly robbed a man Wednesday morning," said Sharpe. "He had a security officer's badge and was armed with an air pistol."

McDade is said to have taken some cash and a cell phone from his victim. He is being held on $50,000 bond and also is on hold for officers of the Mississippi Department of Corrections. Sharpe said McDade has been out of prison on parole for only a short time after serving approximately 20 years on a murder conviction that happened in Meridian.

Oliver, 34, was taken into custody by MPD patrolmen early Thursday morning after they responded to an alarm at the Cefco convenience store located at the corner of 45th Avenue and Ninth Street.

Sharpe said Oliver jumped the store clerk at about 4:30 a.m. as she opened the front door to begin readying the store for business. She was quickly bound and gagged in the back of the store but because he had jumped her, the alarm was set off without his knowing it.

"One officer arrived on the scene and seeing the situation called for backup," said Sharpe. "Officers then entered the store and took Oliver into custody without further incident."

The clerk was unhurt. Oliver was not armed.

Oliver was charged with kidnapping and robbery. He was placed on $25,000 for the kidnapping charge and $50,000 on the robbery offense.