3rd arrest made in robbery

All three suspects in an armed robbery investigation in the Linwood community in late May have been arrested, Sheriff Eric Clark said.

Andrew Blake Dooley, 34, of 1493t Highway 487 east, Sebastopol, was arrested and charged with robbery on May 31 by Newton County officials.

Previously arrested in this case were Julian Zuniga “Mud Flap” Sanderson and Zachary W. Keen.

Sanderson, 22, of 3965 Bufkins Road, Walnut Grove, was arrested and charged with armed robbery and failure to appear in court, Clark said.

Sanderson remains in custody on a $25,000 bond.

Keen, 20, of 14370 Highway 15 south, Union, was arrested and charged with conspiracy to commit a felony and contempt of court.

Clark said Keen has bonded out on a $10,000 bond and Sanderson remains in custody in the Neshoba County Jail. Clark said Dooley was brought in for questioning and has been transported back to the custody of Newton County.

Clark said his office still has pending questions and the case remains an open investigation with additional arrests or charges possible.

The related incident was reported on May 20 when Neshoba County deputies were dispatched to 11166 Road 351 for a reported armed robbery that had just occurred. 

Deputies arrived to find the victim, a 34-year-old white male, who gave an account of arriving at the residence to drop off Zach Keen, who lived at the address. The victim stated that two males dressed in dark clothes and Halloween masks pointed a gun at him and attacked him.  

The two attackers hit him in the head with a handgun and then took him to the ground and wrestled with him trying to obtain his wallet.  

The attackers grabbed the wallet, which contained over $800 and the victim’s cell phone as they ran into the woods. 

The victim was able to remove the face mask of one of the assailants during the struggle and could positively identify him. The victim identified one of the attackers as Sanderson, Clark said.

During the struggle the victim recalled Sanderson calling the name Blake as they wrestled for the wallet. Blake was described as a taller white male, slender build, with dark hair and bangs. 

The victim is a construction worker and is the employer of Zach Keen, Clark said. 

“Mr. Keen was charged with conspiracy to commit a crime after the investigation revealed his involvement,” Clark said.

“Mr. Keen notified others of the day’s events that included the cashing of a payroll check which allowed the victim to possess cash that was taken. The event was a planned event that was carried out at the residence of Mr. Keen.”

Clark said Keen was arrested on May 21 at his residence and Sanderson was picked up by Newton Police on an armed robbery warrant on May 27.

Clark said another suspect was brought in but has been cleared of all charges related to the incident.

Anyone with information on this or any other potential crime is encouraged to call CrimeStoppers at 1-855-485-8477.