By Nathan Hardin
nhardin@salisburypost.com
SALISBURY – A few years ago, things might have ended differently for Glenn Strickland.
But, according to police reports, time has taken a toll on the man who demanded Strickland’s money Saturday night at a gas station near East Innes Street.
“Back in the day, I would have beaten you up, taken your money and left you,” the man told Strickland before breaking down in tears, the report said. “But I can’t rob you.”
Officers later identified the aggressor as Tyrone Lamont Howard.
Howard was caught by a Rowan County Sheriff’s deputy shortly after the incident. He was charged with robbery.
Authorities said Howard approached Strickland about 9:30 p.m. at Murphy’s Express and asked him for gas money, saying he would reimburse him with beer.
Strickland gave the man $10.
Howard, 37, then got closer to the man.
“I saw you got money,” Howard said, according to the report. “Give it to me or I’ll hurt you.”
But Howard’s demeanor changed quickly after taking the man’s cash and he then apologized, police said.
“I can’t rob you,” he said.
The suspect then handed Strickland most of the cash back, keeping only $20.
The report did not say how much was returned to Strickland.
After Howard’s arrest, he was charged with felony common law robbery. He also was charged with an outstanding warrant for failing to appear in court.
Howard remained in Rowan County jail Monday under a $10,400 bond.