Police catch suspect in armed robbery at Dollar General

The West Virginia State Police and Morgan County Sheriff’s Department tracked down and arrested a local
man for holding up the Dollar General store on Valley Road in Berkeley Springs and fleeing with an undetermined amount of cash last Wednesday, March 28.

Police have charged David Allen Lewis, 55, of Johnson’s Mill Road, Berkeley Springs with armed robbery and wanton endangerment after he allegedly pointed a gun at the cashier on duty and demanded money.
Trooper First Class V. E. Branham was on routine patrol on U.S. 522 when he received a 911 call at 7:45 p.m. of an armed robbery in progress at the Dollar General store.

According to police, the cashier on duty gave Trooper Branham a description of the suspect and told police the man had fled on foot going north.

Morgan County Sheriff Vince Shambaugh located the suspect near Greenway Drive in Berkeley Springs.
When Sheriff Shambaugh approached Lewis, he began walking, then running away. After what police called “an extensive chase,” Lewis was taken into custody by police. A .22 caliber revolver was found in the area where Lewis was apprehended.

The cashier at Dollar General confirmed that Lewis was the suspect he had encountered earlier. Trooper Branham also reviewed surveillance to identify the suspect and the weapon.
Lewis was charged by the West Virginia State Police with Armed Robbery and Wanton Endangerment with a firearm.

The Morgan County Sheriff’s Department charged Lewis with fleeing, obstructing an officer and possession of a firearm by a felon.

The Town of Bath Police Department also assisted in the case.

Lewis was arraigned by Magistrate Kermit Ambrose. He is being held as a pre-trial felon at the Eastern Regional Jail. Bond was set at $32,000.