The man involved in the armed robbery of Smoking Joe’s last week and a juvenile accomplice were arrested late last week.

As a result of a warrant arrest by the Picayune Police Department the Pearl River County Sheriff’s Department was able to charge 29-year-old Justin Dale Peterson, who gave an address of 27 Horseshoe Lane, with not only the armed robbery that occurred on Aug. 15, at the cigarette store but also charge him with a residential burglary that occurred on Aug. 3, at a home on Horseshoe Lane, said Pearl River County Sheriff’s Department Chief Deputy Shane Tucker. Tucker said the department has evidence to suggest Peterson gave a false address.

The armed robbery involved Peterson allegedly entering the store armed with what appeared to be a  handgun, which he used to convince the clerk behind the counter to give him money. After securing the money Peterson allegedly left the location in a vehicle.

Last week Detective Jeremy Magri with the Picayune Police Department shared information concerning a possible suspect with Sheriff’s Department investigator Sgt. Christa Groom. That information pertained to Peterson having an MDOC warrant for probation violation. Tucker said the information on the warrant fit the description of the armed robbery suspect and the suspect vehicle described by witnesses.

The night of Aug. 18, Magri, and other officers with the Picayune Police Department got word that Peterson was at Wal-Mart in Picayune, prompting Magri, David Crocker, Trent Boyd, Chad Dorn and Chief Bryan Dawsey to pick Peterson up on the warrant, Tucker said. A 16-year-old juvenile was also arrested later for his part in the robbery, and charged with accessory after the fact. Tucker said the juvenile allegedly assisted in disposing of evidence related to the robbery.

Evidence collected in the investigation linked Peterson to the armed robbery, Tucker said. Peterson was also linked to residential burglary as part of the investigation.

Tucker said the investigation showed that on Aug. 3, Peterson made entry to a home on Horseshoe Lane by forcing open the back door. In the burglary he allegedly took a credit card and check, both to obtain money, Tucker said.

Tucker would like to thank the Picayune Police Department for their assistance in solving the cases.

“We’re proud that we have that relationship with them,” Tucker said. “It was because of Picayune Police Department that we were able to make this arrest.”