Oakland Robbers Caught

OAKLAND, Miss. (WCBI) – Two Panola County men are behind bars and are believed to be responsible for a pair of gas station robberies.

Oakland Police Chief Russ Smith say, 20 year old Joshua Hines and 18 year old Riccardo Hankins were taken into custody following an intense investigation. The two men are believed to have robbed the Shell Oakland Express in January and the Exxon Gas Mart Monday. Hines is charged with four counts of aggravated assault, four counts of armed robbery and two counts of conspiracy. His bond has been set at $500,000. Hankins who was the driver for the robberies has been charged with two counts of conspiracy and two counts of armed robbery. His bond has been set at $50,000.

Police say, the men were arrested Thursday and remain in custody. Officers are attributing the help of newspaper readers and TV viewers for the capture of the thieves. Panola County Sheriff’s Department assisted in the investigation.