By KEITH EPPS
Two men who police say resorted to robbery after they couldn't talk a store clerk into selling them beer after hours were arrested Monday before drinking the first sip.
Sheriff Charles Jett said deputies showed up at the 7-Eleven at 552 White Oak Road just as the frightened clerk was putting the beer into a bag.
The suspects were taken into custody without further incident.
Jett said deputies went to the store after receiving a 911 hang-up early Monday. When dispatchers called the store back, they became suspicious of the clerk's tone of voice.
The clerk later told police that two men entered the store after midnight and tried to purchase beer. The clerk refused to sell it, even after they pressured her repeatedly to do so, Jett said.
At one point, the men offered to pay her extra for the beer. Still, she wouldn't sell it.
Finally, one of the men reached into his jacket pocket as if he had a weapon. He ordered the clerk to place the beer in a bag, and she complied. The suspects had been in the store for about 45 minutes at that point, Jett said.
Deputies showed up at that time and took the men into custody. The clerk was visibly shaken, police said.
The suspects had purchased food during their stay, Jett said. Inside the bag with that food was a disposable camera that they had shoplifted, he said.
Jimmy Lee Davis, 21, of Stafford and Steve Archie Bryant Jr., 20, of Clearwater, Fla., were both charged with attempted robbery and petty larceny.
Both were placed in the Rappahannock Regional Jail without bond.
To reach KEITH EPPS:
Email: kepps@freelancestar.com