Man uses lighter, can of deicer spray to ignite fire during armed robbery, police say

LENOIR, N.C. — A 29-year-old man is accused of using a cigarette lighter and spray deicer to cause a fire during an armed robbery Wednesday at the Ross and Company convenience store at 1902 Harper Ave. in Lenoir, police said.

Logan Ryan Jones walked up to the cashier with the lighter, spray can and a note that said “give me money or I’ll burn the store down,” according to reports from the owner of Ross and Company Johnathan Brooks.

The cashier didn’t give in to the demands, and that is when police said Jones ignited the deicer with the lighter, which started a fire near the register. The small blaze was quickly extinguished.

“De-icer and a lighter. I don’t know that’s a different way of doing it,” Brooks said.

The flames damaged the receipt printer and cables to the register but no employees were hurt.

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Jones drove off in a red Ford Focus and was last seen going west on Abington Road, and the Caldwell County Sheriff’s Office located the car at the Hilltop Mart.

Deputies found Jones at his home at 1511 Fred Watson Place, Lenoir.

Jones had an outstanding warrant for one felony count of accessory before the fact to a felony.

He was arrested and charged with one felony count of attempted robbery with a dangerous weapon and one felony count of burning certain buildings.

His total secured bond was $250,000 secured.

Jones’ initial court appearance is scheduled for Thursday in Caldwell County District Court.

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Employees told Channel 9 that they were shocked by the situation.

Ashley Bankson said she was one of the employees behind the counter when the incident happened.

“At first I thought this was a joke because this had never happened before. And then all of the sudden, when he started doing fire behind the counter, me and the other girls were like this is real,” Bankson said.

Customers said they were in disbelief at what was happening and are glad no one was hurt.

“We got a lot of good, hard-working, honest people that work for a job. And work for a living. And take care of their kids and family. Working people don’t deserve this. They don’t deserve it,” customer Dee Dee Shaw said.

(Watch the video below: Workers pepper sprayed during robbery in Lenoir)

Workers pepper sprayed during robbery in Lenoir

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