By John Howell
Batesville police credit media focus on two armed robbery and kidnapping suspects as a factor that convinced them to surrender to law enforcement during the weekend.
On Friday, BPD released photos of Christopher Key and Dundrygus Martinez Henderson, suspects in an armed robbery and kidnapping incident that occurred December 29. The photos were initially posted on The Panolian’s Facebook page, drawing the attention of Memphis TV stations which were soon featuring them in news broadcasts.
“When you  see your picture on TV, your comfort zone gets pretty small,” Batesville assistant Police Chief Jimmy McCloud said.
Henderson turned himself in to authorities Friday night; Key on Sunday night.
McCloud said detectives had developed information leading to Key and Henderson as suspects in a December 29 armed robbery at apartments located behind Skyline Motel on Highway 51.
“There were some people unloading groceries from a car and they robbed them,” McCloud alleged.
The incident brought two charges of armed robbery: “There were three people (victims) but they didn’t take anything but from two of them,” McCloud said, explaining the allegations.
The kidnapping charges stemmed from “holding them against their will… without lawful authority to seize or confine,” the assistant Chief continued. Conspiracy charges resulted from the alleged prior planning of the robbery, he said.
Batesville Municipal Judge William McKenzie set bond for both men at $170,000, but the Mississippi Department of Corrections placed a hold on Key, meaning that he would be kept in custody even if his bond is met, McCloud said.
Key and Henderson, both of Batesville, are expected to make an initial appearance in Municipal Court on Wednesday, January 20.