From WRIL/Harlan Police Department -
An update to a story we brought you earlier this week.
Harlan City Police Chief Winston Yeary Jr. sent us a press release in regard to an arrest on a strong armed robbery.
On Tuesday, October 13, 2020 a suspect walked into the Harlan HLT Check Exchange, jumped the counter and robbed it at gun point. He then restrained customer service representative Sheila Smith with zip ties and left the business with $757.00 in cash. A subsequent investigation led officers to a suspect identified as 33 year old Matthew Hinkle of Jones Creek. Hinkle was arrested by Chief Winston Yeary and Sgt. Mitch Alford on Thursday the 15th for outstanding bench warrants. During the arrest, a handgun and items of clothing were recovered from the suspect believed to to have been used to commit the robbery. This led officers to charge Hinkle with the robbery and the execution of two search warrants. A search of his residence and on his vehicle was conducted with assistance from the Harlan County Sheriff’s Office. Matthew Hinkle was lodged in the Harlan County detention Center charged with robbery 1st degree and he was served the bench warrants. He is being held on a total cash bond of $11,183.00.
Officer Anthony Jenkins is leading the investigation.