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  • Harold Durham is shown at his jewelry store, which was robbed Monday. The 79 year-old jeweler held one suspect until police arrived, and also took three shots from a revolver at the other. Kim Walker/Athens Review

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February 20, 2012

Jeweler captures one, fires shots at another

Durham claims these robbers same as those that robbed him in December; police zero in on fugitive

Art Lawler The Athens Review

Athens — Make no mistake – Harold Durham is getting the hang of this robbery business.

Just don’t mistake his familiarity with the process as acceptance of a  victim’s role.

After his jewelry store (Harold Durham Jewelry, 1111 E. Tyler St.) was hit Monday, for the second time since December,  by what he told police were the same two robbers as before. Durham,  79, decided he’d had enough.

He got out his .38 caliber pistol from behind the counter, and told a man who has been identified as Jason Tyrone Carter, 42, of Cooper, to stay put.

Instead, the man ran, and Durham fired three rounds from his .38 caliber pistol at the fleeing robber.

“Thank God, I missed him all three times,” said the local jeweler. “Thank God, nobody got hurt.”

Durham was in good spirits, in spite of his harrowing experience.

“I guess I’m going to have to go to the shooting range,” he said, laughing at his marksmanship, or lack thereof.

Durham was asked if he came out of the experience unhurt.

“I’m fine,” he said. “I’m excited, and  I’m mad, but I’m fine.”

The only problem is that the man got away with two trays of jewelry,  Durham said.

He told police that Carter was able to manipulate the jewelry case, and remove two trays of gold and diamond rings.

Durham told police that Betty M. Carter of Cooper entered the business, and was inquiring about some jewelry.  A few minutes later, Jason T. Carter, 42, of Cooper, and formerly of Athens, entered the business.

As Betty Carter distracted Durham, police say Jason Carter removed two trays of gold and diamond rings from a counter.

“Mr. Durham ordered Jason Carter to stop, at which time Mr. Durham retrieved a .38 caliber revolver from behind the counter and fired three shots at Jason Carter, as he was fleeing the business,” the police report said.

Durham held Betty Carter at the business until officers arrived with his gun.

Police say Jason Carter was gone prior to the officer’s arrival.

Anyone with information of Jason Carter’s whereabouts is asked to contact the Athens Police Department at 903-675-5454.

Police say the two are also suspects in the earlier theft described by Durham.

Athens Patrol Officer James Graham took the initial report, and Det. William Carlow is heading up the investigation.

Betty Carter, after being held at the site until police arrived, was arrested at the scene, and transported to the Henderson County Justice Center, where she was charged with organized retail theft.

Assistant Chief of Police Rodney Williams said the investigation is ongoing.

Kathi Nailling and Kim Walker contributed to this story.

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