CONWAY – One suspect is behind bars and two others are sought in an armed robbery of a convenience store here Thursday.

Conway Police Chief Billy Duke said 39-year-old Eric Beale of Standing Lane, Murfreesboro, was arrested shortly after the robbery, which was reported at 6:34 p.m. at the Park and Shop, located at 210 East Main Street.

Beale stands charged with six felonies – robbery with a dangerous weapon, two counts of second degree kidnapping, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, conspiracy of robbery with a dangerous weapon, and possession of stolen goods. He was also charged with assault by pointing a gun, which is a misdemeanor.

He was placed in the Northampton County Detention Center under a $77,000 secured bond and awaits his initial court appearance.

Duke said Beale and another suspect were both armed with weapons when they entered the store. There they forcibly detained two employees of the store and then made off with an undisclosed amount of cash.

There were customers inside the store at the time of the robbery. Fortunately, no one was injured.

“Both suspects fled the scene on foot,” Duke said. “With the assistance of (Northampton Sheriff’s) deputies, we were able to flood the area with law enforcement, looking for these suspects.”

Duke said Beale was soon captured on Popular Street.

“Upon questioning him, we were able to determine there were two others involved; we have issued arrest warrants on them,” Duke stated, without naming the other two suspects.

“The good news from this is that no one was hurt. Both store clerks were emotionally shook up, and rightfully so, but not injured,” Duke noted.

He thanked the Northampton Sheriff’s Office for their assistance.

“They responded quickly and their help was critical in helping us locate one of the suspects,” Duke stressed.