GIBSON – The sheriff’s office is asking people to be on the lookout for a truck involved in the armed robbery of a Good Samaritan who stopped to help a stranded driver Monday.
The truck is a black compact pickup possibly a Toyota or Nissan with a white camper top.
The victim, Wallace Frizzell, a truck driver from Troy stopped on NC 79 and Rockdale Avenue to assist what appeared to be a driver in need of assistance shortly before 6:30 a.m., according to Capt. Ruben Castellon, chief detective with Scotland County Sheriff’s Office.
As Frizzell was talking to one man, another came up from behind, pistol whipped him and demanded Frizzell hand over his belongings, Castellon said.
The two took the victim’s money, credit cards, debit card, keys and wallet.
There were initial rumors that a convenience store in Gibson was robbed, but those stemmed from confusion over the location of the incident.
Castellon cautions residents to be careful about trying to help people who appear to be stranded.
“If you see someone that looks like they need help, don’t stop. Make yourself aware of the surroundings and call 911 and give a description of where it is,” Castellon said. “A law enforcement officer will be dispatched to the location. If they need help, they’ll get it, and if it’s a scam they’ll be picked up.”
Anyone with information is asked to call the Scotland County Sheriff’s Office tip line at 910-277-4258 or call 911.