Clayton News Daily

By Jason A. Smith

jsmith@henryherald.com

Nearly three years after allegedly robbing a local business, an Atlanta man has been charged in the case, and is being held in the Henry County Jail.

Paul Alan Roberts, 44, is charged with one count of burglary.

Henry County Police say the incident which led to the suspect's arrest, took place Nov. 7, 2005, at Atlanta Nail and Tool Service, located at 1381 Hudson Bridge Rd., in Stockbridge. Police were alerted the location at approximately 3:40 a.m., after an alarm sounded at the business.

On Wednesday, during the hearing for the burglary case in Henry County Magistrate Court, Police Detective Jason Valentine detailed how Roberts allegedly entered the business the night of the incident. "It appeared that a manhole cover had been used to smash in the rear door [of the store]," he told Judge Robert Godwin.

In addition, Valentine said police obtained blood samples from the door of the establishment, and sent them off to the Georgia Bureau of Investigation's Crime Lab.

However, results of those tests were not released until nearly a year later, on Nov. 6, 2006. The results, said Valentine, were a positive match for Roberts.

A warrant was issued for the suspect's arrest in January 2007. However, Valentine testified that Roberts, who had been in the state's prison system in the past, was on parole and could not be found until earlier this week.

Deputies with the Henry County Sheriff's Office apprehended Roberts Tuesday, at which time authorities collected potential additional evidence in the case.

"DNA evidence was taken to the GBI Tuesday, to verify the previous DNA sample," Valentine added.

Roberts' attorney, public defender Jeff Cofer, acknowledged the circumstances of his client's arrest, and the evidence obtained by authorities, but declined to comment further on the case.

Judge Godwin bound over the charge against Roberts to Henry County Superior Court, where bond in the case is expected to be set at a later date.