ROANOKE TIMES

                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: TUESDAY, November 14, 1995                   TAG: 9511140093
SECTION: VIRGINIA                    PAGE: C-3   EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY 
SOURCE: DIANE STRUZZI STAFF WRITER
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Short


MAN CHARGED AFTER ROBBERY AT GUNPOINT

A 19-year-old man is accused of forcing his way at gunpoint into a Southwest Roanoke County house early Monday and taking an acquaintance's gold necklace and stadium jacket.

No shots were fired, and there were no injuries.

David Joel Bonham of Roanoke has been charged with armed robbery, use of a firearm and carrying a concealed weapon. He is being held without bond in Roanoke County Jail.

Shortly after midnight, police said, a man knocked on the rear door of a home at 3301 Penn Forest Blvd. When Gregory Justin Guilliams, 18, opened the door, he found a man holding a gun. He knew the man, according to police.

The robber forced Guilliams into his bedroom and grabbed a gold necklace he claimed was his, police said. The robber also took a stadium jacket.

The man wanted Guilliams to follow him out the door. At the same time, Guilliams' mother called 911; the robber fled to a car parked around the corner, according to Roanoke County Detective Jeff Herrick.

A police officer on patrol in the area passed a car with a passenger who fit the robber's description. The officer stopped the car at Bernard Drive and Virginia 419. There were three other people in the car.

Bonham, who was the only one arrested, also was charged with resisting arrest.

Police recovered the stolen property and two small-caliber handguns. One gun was found on the suspect; another was found in the back seat of the car.

Herrick said the investigation is ongoing.


Memo: NOTE: Shorter version ran in Metro edition.

by CNB