MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — A man attempting to rob a hot spot held a clerk hostage for a brief time before being arrested in Morgantown.
The clerk at High Life Lounge, 3071 University Avenue, triggered a panic alarm alerting Morgantown police of a problem at approximately 10:15 p.m. Thursday, May 4, 2017.
Officers arrived within less than one minute prohibiting the suspect from making off with cash.
As police surrounded the building, attempts to make contact inside the lounge were unsuccessful.
As the clerk was lying on the floor in a prone position, police announced their presence and ordered the suspect to surrender.
After a short standoff, Gary Donzell Guest, 31 of Morgantown, released the uninjured clerk and was arrested.
The victim told investigators Guest came into the business, showed a weapon and demanded cash.
A pistol was recovered from the scene.
Guest was charged with armed robbery.