Two suspects are in custody after the Pocahontas Police Department responded to a reported armed robbery Saturday afternoon near Pocahontas Elementary School.
Authorities received the call around 3:30 p.m., reporting a young male with a handgun threatening another individual in the 200 block of First Avenue SW. The location sits across from the elementary school, but classes were not in session and no one was inside the building at the time. Authorities say there is no ongoing threat to the school.
Witnesses at the scene helped officers identify two suspects: 18‑year‑old Gideon Ayafa of Pocahontas and a 16‑year‑old juvenile originally from Rolfe and now living in Humboldt. Police located a victim nearby who told officers he had been robbed and assaulted, and that one of the suspects pointed a handgun at him during the incident.
Search warrants were executed in Pocahontas, and both suspects were taken into custody.
Ayafa is being held in the Pocahontas County Jail on charges of first‑degree robbery, a class B felony, and fifth‑degree theft. His bond is set at $25,300. The juvenile is being held at the Cherokee Youth Detention Center on multiple charges, including first‑degree robbery, going armed with intent, aggravated assault, and fifth‑degree theft. His bond is set at $37,300.
The Pocahontas Police Department was assisted by the Pocahontas County Sheriff’s Office, Laurens Police Department, and Humboldt Police Department.
