Roane authorities arrest two after armed robbery investigation

Roane County authorities investigating an armed robbery at a gas station on Highway 70 on Friday arrested a Harriman man and Kingston woman on Monday, Sheriff Jack Stockton said.

The alleged robbery occurred at a Rocky Top Market on Bluff Road at Highway 70 at closing time Friday. A white man wearing camouflage clothing entered the store, pointed a handgun at the clerks, and demanded money, Stockton said in a press release. The suspect allegedly left the store with an undetermined amount of money.

On Monday, Roane County Sheriff’s Office deputies, with help from detectives Bryan Walker and Brandon Kittrell, arrested the two suspects without incident, the release said. The Crossville and Kingston police departments also helped.

The press release said Mark Andrew Randolph of Harriman was taken into custody and charged with aggravated armed robbery and possession of schedule IV drugs. Rufena Jean Bunch of Kingston was also taken into custody and charged with simple possession and possession of schedule IV drugs, the release said.

“The investigation is ongoing,” the release said. “State and federal charges are pending in other jurisdictions. Sheriff Stockton stated with the collective effort between multiple agencies, this armed robbery came to a quick resolution without anyone being harmed.”