Robbery suspect reeled in

Hudson police officers have charged a Lenoir man with common law robbery in the same week that his pending armed robbery charges were dropped.

Ryan Barrett Futch, 27, of 2423 Bishop Dr., Lenoir, was arrested Thursday by officers with Hudson Police Department and charged with common law robbery in connection with the robbery that occurred at Captain D's restaurant in January. He remained confined to the Caldwell County Detention Center under a $10,000 secured bond Thursday afternoon. Futch was scheduled to appear in court Thursday.

HPD Assistant Chief Andy Day said Futch entered Captain D's at approximately 9:45 p.m. Jan. 24. He handed the cashier $5 cash and asked for one piece of chicken. He said the report indicates that when the cashier opened her drawer to get change, Futch reached in, grabbed a handful of $20 bills and then left on foot.

Futch previously was arrested by Lenoir Police Department in March and charged with aiding and abetting and armed robbery in connection with a robbery at Gamewell Superette. That case was closed by a District Court Judge April 21 when prosecutors did not present any probable cause.

Reports show that shortly after 11 p.m. March 28, a man entered the Gamewell Superette, waved a shotgun and demanded money from the store clerk. When the store clerk complied, he ran out of the store, jumped into the passenger side of a white Chevrolet minivan and drove off.

Officers later found Futch driving the minivan near Jennings Street and Morganton Boulevard. There were no other passengers.