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Robbery suspect arrested in Marietta

PARKERSBURG – One arrest has been made in connection with an armed robbery in the Red Lobster parking lot on Murdoch Avenue Monday afternoon.

Marietta police arrested Russel Lee Traugh, 31, of Parkersburg around 9:45 p.m. Monday in connection with the Red Lobster parking lot robbery that happened in Parkersburg earlier in the day, said Wood County Sheriff’s Office Chief Deputy Shawn Graham.

Traugh was arrested at the Lafayette Hotel in Marietta by the Marietta police after a surveillance operation, Graham said.

Traugh was arrested in Marietta on a warrant for being a fugitive from justice in Wood County, Graham said.

When Traugh is returned to Wood County, officials anticipate he will face additional charges of armed robbery, Graham said.

The second suspect, who was in the truck at the time of the robbery, is still at-large, Graham said. When this suspect is arrested, charges will be made against him, Graham said.

At 12:20 p.m. Monday, deputies responded to a call of an armed robbery in the parking lot shared by George’s Place Restaurant and Red Lobster in Parkersburg, at 3705 Murdoch Ave., police said.

Police did not release the name of the alleged victim, a female from Parkersburg.

The woman was exiting George’s Place Restaurant when Traugh allegedly called out to her by name from a green Ford truck with a Pennsylvania license plate, Graham said. The woman admitted to knowing Traugh, Graham said.

When the woman approached the truck, Traugh and an unidentified second occupant of the truck demanded the woman’s purse, Graham said. Traugh allegedly threatened the woman with a gun, after which she handed over the purse, Graham said.

Traugh allegedly stole the woman’s purse, including all of its contents, Graham said. The amount of cash in the purse at the time was estimated to be more than $100 by the victim, Graham said.

“We want to thank the Marietta Police for their assistance in apprehending this suspect,” Graham said. “Without their help, he would still be on the loose.”

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