By By Lisa Tindell
Two Montgomery men were arrested Tuesday after attempting to purchase merchandise with bad checks.
Escambia County Sheriff’s Investigator Matt Hammond said the pair had purchased or attempted to purchase merchandise at two Atmore retailers Tuesday afternoon.
Willie James Grimes and Willie James Johnson, both of Montgomery, were arrested and taken into custody by officers with Atmore Police Department and the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office.
Hammond said the pair had left the business before officers could arrive at the scene.
As officers with Atmore Police Department and Escambia County Sheriff’s Office were in search of the suspects, a second call was received concerning a purchase made with a bad check at GCR Tire Center on U.S. Hwy. 21 in Atmore.
Hammond said officers located a U-Haul vehicle used by the suspects on U.S. Hwy. 21 North.
Grimes and Johnson were both charged with first-degree attempted theft of property for the incident at Escambia Lawn Center and second degree attempted theft of property for the incident at GCR Tire Center.
Hammond said Grimes was on probation for a previous crime and information concerning the possibility of his release was uncertain at press time. No bond information was available for Johnson.