Clerk arrested for embezzlement following armed robbery in Roanoke

ROANOKE, Va. – Roanoke police are investigating an armed robbery. 

Officers responded to the call at Big Lick Grocery on Tazewell Ave. around 8:15 p.m. Thursday. 

A person came into the store, pointed a gun at the clerk, and demanded money. After taking cash, the person ran away.

The clerk was not hurt. 

Officers set up a perimeter around the area of the store following the robbery but did not find the suspect.

As officers carefully reviewed surveillance video of the robbery, they saw that the clerk, Terry Hopson Jr., age 43, of Roanoke, removed additional cash from the register after the suspect had left and put the money in his back pocket.

Hopson was arrested for embezzlement and taken to the Roanoke City Jail.

Police ask anyone with information to call 540-344-8500.