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Frank Lewis

PDT Staff Writer

A Portsmouth man is facing aggravated robbery after taking several bottles of liquor at knife-point from the liquor department at the Portsmouth Kroger Store Tuesday. Nathan Payton, 29, whose last known address is on Glover Street, was arraigned on that charge Wednesday morning in Portsmouth Municipal Court.

“Basically he walked in, put six bottles of liquor into a backpack, right in front of the salesman who works in the liquor department, and the loss prevention officer,” Portsmouth Police Detective Sergeant Jim Charles said. “When he left the liquor area without paying, they confronted him. He pulled out a pocket knife and told one of the employees - ‘this isn’t worth it’ - in a threatening manner, and so they let him leave the store with the liquor.”

After he left the store, employees went out, got a description of the vehicle he was in and the license tag number, and called the police.

“Officers located the vehicle on Argonne (Road) around Argonne and George Street,” Charles said. “He had the liquor with him and he still had the pocket knife in the car, and he was identified by the Kroger employees.”

Charles said Payton is charged with aggravated robbery and he expects the Scioto County grand jury to possibly add other charges as well. Charles said Payton was placed in the Scioto County Jail, and was arraigned on Wednesday morning.

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Frank Lewis may be reached at 740-353-3101, ext. 252, or at flewis@civitasmedia.com. For breaking news, follow Frank on Twitter @FrankLewisPDT