An Atmore man was arrested Dec. 17 and is facing felony robbery and assault charges following an incident on Wednesday, Dec. 4, at Piggly Wiggly in Davisville, Fla.
Maurice Montraye Ervin, 26, 612 E. Oak St., was identified as a suspect to law enforcement in the robbery of $6,686.66 from the Walnut Hill Piggly Wiggly store, according to an Escambia County Sheriff's office report.
The suspect used a small frame Beretta .380 Caliber semi-automatic handgun described as silver and black in color and wore a mask, according to the clerk who was on duty when the robbery took place, the report said.
The clerk told deputies she recognized the voice of the suspect as former employee Maurice Ervin and Ervin was located at 354 Sunset Drive in Atmore and taken into custody on an outstanding warrant.
The report said a protective sweep of the 12-foot camper where Ervin lives was conducted and a firearm matching the description of the one used in the robbery was located in plain view as well as a small amount marijuana.
Ervin told law enforcement he asked a Demarion Gulley for a ride to the store when Ervin's driver's license was discovered on Dec. 9 behind Piggly Wiggly by an individual who cleans the parking lot. Ervin said Gulley dropped him off at the north end of the shopping plaza and he walked to Piggly Wiggly, the report said.
During the investigation, deputies obtained a consent to search and went to search a shed located at 354 West Sunset Dr. owned by Charles Finklea, near Ervin's camper. Deputies found $81 lying on the floor of the doorless, old shed. It was turned in to evidence, the report said.
During this part of the investigation, an officer was made aware of a jail phone call made by Ervin, who was in jail on a violation of parole charge, to a person “to go and get the money from the shed” and Ervin gives details about the location. A second phone call was made to the same number “to never mind going to get the money”, the report stated.
After more investigation, a male named 'Rodney' called police and said he had information about what Ervin had done at Piggly Wiggly. 'Rodney' indicated he had received a phone call on Dec. 4 from Ervin asking for a ride after 9 p.m. to see someone at Piggly Wiggly.
'Rodney' told law enforcement he picked up Ervin and dropped him off at the north end of the shopping center.
He said Ervin told him to go get some scratch-off tickets at the store and that Ervin would call him when he wanted to be picked up, the report said.
'Rodney' told officers the store he went to was closed so he went to the Grey Goose and got tickets and cigars, when Ervin called him to be picked up. 'Rodney' said he then went and picked up Ervin, who had a bag full of money, the report said.
'Rodney' stated he freaked out and didn't know what to do and he took Ervin to his camper and dropped him off, the report said.
According to the report, 'Rodney' was named as a witness. He and a female, Brandie Webb, told police they were scared and didn't know what to do.
Ervin was arrested Dec. 17 and charged with one count felony aggravated assault and one count felony robbery with firearm. He was transported to the Escambia County Jail in Pensacola and given a total bond of $175,000.
