By Jason C. Mattox

A felon was arrested in Batesville Monday afternoon and charged with what would be his third felony if convicted, according to Detective George Williford of the Batesville Police Department.

Ronnie Ray Strong, 51, was arrested for the alleged armed robbery of Batesville Express No. 2 on Labor Day.

Batesville Express No. 2 is located at the corner of Eureka Street and Highway 6.

Williford said the alleged robbery took place at 1:08 p.m. when Strong entered the business with a weapon, wearing no mask to hide his face.

“We arrested him within 30 minutes of the robbery,” he said. “We recovered the cash that was taken, and we do know that he used a weapon in the crime.”

Authorities did not disclose where Strong was arrested.

Williford also would not describe what type of weapon was used in the crime.

The detective did explain that Strong had also been charged with felon in possession of a weapon.

“This will be his third strike if he is convicted,” Williford said. “He has not been given a bond, and will not be given one because MDOC has a hold on him.”

Strong has a previous armed robbery conviction and a murder conviction on his record.

“The murder occurred in January 1989 in Itta Bena, and he was sentenced to life in prison,” Williford said.

Strong was paroled in 2006 for the 1989 murder, according to the detective.