By Nathan Hardin
nhardin@salisburypost.com
SALISBURY — Police charged a 19-year-old Salisbury man Tuesday with robbing a Domino’s Pizza in April. He was then let out of jail by mistake and authorities say he is considered armed and dangerous.
Willie James Johnson Jr., of South Merritt Avenue, was placed in jail Wednesday under a $25,500 bond.
But he was later released after posting only $500 bond with the assistance of a bondsman from Concord,. The $25,000 secured bond is still in effect, and a release from The Rowan County Sheriff’s Office on Wednesday night said he should not have been released.
There is an outstanding warrant on Johnson for a probation violation. The Sheriff’s Office is offering a $1,000 cash reward for information that leads to his arrest and capture
Officers had gone to a home on South Lee Street on Tuesday to serve warrants on Johnson for felony robbery with a dangerous weapon and misdemeanor assault by pointing a gun. But he fled through the back door of the home, according to a Salisbury Police report, and police chased him on foot toward the railroad tracks near South Railroad Street.
The report said officers caught him in a wooded area near the tracks. He was taken into custody and charged with resisting, obstructing and delaying a public officer.
Authorities believe Johnson and another man walked into the Domino’s on West Innes Street around midnight on April 10, pointing handguns.
The two men, who were both wearing red bandanas across their faces, demanded money, and one gunman jumped over the counter and forced an employee to open the register.
When the drawer opened, the man grabbed a handful of cash and the two were last seen heading toward Statesville Boulevard. A police report said about $100 was taken.
Salisbury officers have seen several delivery robberies in recent months.
Last week, officers charged 18-year-old Alex Quintel Lynch and 19-year-old Gary Devontae Isom in a separate pizza delivery robbery on April 21.
A report said the two placed a delivery order for a home on Park Avenue. The delivery man arrived around 10:30 p.m., and another vehicle pulled beside him. A gunman pointed a rifle at the man, and demanded the cash and pizza. Police said about $40 was taken in the incident. Isom and Lynch were arrested on May 10. Both remained in jail Wednesday.