AULANDER – The man believed to have beaten and robbed an Aulander business owner on May 4 is now behind bars in the Bertie-Martin Regional Jail.

On Tuesday, Tracy Latroy Peele, 39, of Bell Street, Aulander, was arrested and charged in the incident. Peele was jailed under a $100,000 secured bond on the charges of robbery with a dangerous weapon and assault with a deadly weapon inflicting serious injury, both felonies.

Aulander Police Officer Jimmy Barmer made the arrest, without incident, at Peele’s residence. Barmer was assisted by Aulander Police Officer Brian Knowles and Bertie Sheriff’s Deputy Chris Leggett.

Meanwhile, the victim, Ahmed Mosleh Salem who owns the Stop One Mart located on Commerce Street, is recovering from injuries sustained in the robbery. It was alleged that Salem was struck with a baseball bat, causing lacerations which required several stitches. Salem also suffered a broken collar bone in the attack, according to Officer Barmer.

Bertie Sheriff’s deputies initially investigated the case, finding a baseball bat on the premises the night of the attack.

The report showed that Salem was leaving his place of business around 11 p.m. on May 4 when he was struck from behind in the head. An effort was allegedly made by the suspect to drag Salem to the side of the building at which time Salem reportedly told his assailant he would give him whatever money was in the store if he would allow him to live. The suspect took the cash from the store and fled on foot.

Barmer took over the investigation on May 5.

“Through the interviews I conducted, I was able to gain enough information to obtain a warrant, charging Mr. Peele with the assault and robbery,” Barmer said. “I would like to thank Officer Knowles and Deputy Leggett for their assistance on this case.”

Peele made his initial court appearance on May 13. He remains incarcerated.

According to the NC Department of Correction website, Peele has an extensive arrest record dating back to 1992. He has been previously found guilty and served prison time and/or probation for felony breaking and entering (three separate cases), larceny of a motor vehicle, common law robbery (three separate cases), larceny and larceny of firearms. With the exception of a 2005 case in New Hanover County, all of those convictions were in Bertie County.