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WCHS-TV NEWS: Maysel, Clay County
A Clay County man says he was beaten with a bat and robbed outside of a local restaurant early Thursday morning.
"I'm a tough old guy," William Vineyard said, recounting the experience.
His blood still stained the gravel outside of the Jessie Sez restaurant in Maysel.
"Knocked a tooth all the way through my jaw," he said.
Troopers said at about 1 a.m. a masked man, carrying a baseball bat, came out of the bushes and started beating Vineyard. The suspect got off with about $10,000 Vineyard was carrying from the restaurant's poker machines, ATM and cash register.
Vineyard, his grandson, and Shirley Mullins, who is the manager, were all there when the attack happened.
"We think that whoever it was cased this place and waited for them to close," Cpl. Robbie Cervera said.
The victim's grandson tried to chase down the suspect, but the suspect told him he had a bat and a gun and not to go any further.
"Upset about it number one, because I hate a thief," Vineyard said.
"I'm the kind of person, I trust people. I do," Mullins said.
They were forced to close for the day but say they won't let this stop them from staying in business. The owner is offering a $1,000 reward to anyone who can help lead to an arrest.
"Life goes on. We''ll pick the pieces up and continue on tomorrow," Vineyard said.
If you have any information about the robbery, call the Clay County detachment of the state police at 304-286-3185. The case is being handled by Senior Trooper B.E. Young.
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