Arrest in Circle K Slaying

Tonight at around 7:30 pm, the Richmond County Sheriff’s Office arrested 23-year-old Joseph Andrew Thomas and charged him with last Thursday's murder of Robert Lee Stone Jr. at the Circle K on Gordon Highway.

Mr. Thomas was spotted by investigators on Haynie Drive, but fled when officers approached. While fleeing, he threw a handgun onto the ground. He was apprehended after a short foot pursuit.

OTHER CHARGES

• Mr. Thomas has also been charged with robbing a cable installation man on 2nd Avenue in Augusta, just hours before the murder of Mr. Stone.
  
• The suspect is also wanted by the Dekalb County Sheriff’s Office for another robbery in which he shot a victim multiple times on August 20.
• Mr. Thomas is also wanted by the Gwinett County Sheriff’s Office for armed robbery, pointing a firearm at another and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.
  

Mr. Thomas is being held without bond at the Richmond County Jail on charges of murder, 2 counts of possession of a firearm during the commission of a crime, 2 counts of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and armed robbery.

He is also being held for the Dekalb Sheriff’s Office on charges of armed robbery and aggravated assault.