Daniel Elizondo, Editor
Posted: Wednesday, December 5, 2012 4:36 pm

Richard Lynn Tidwell

A Silsbee man is behind bars after the Hardin County Sheriff’s department with the help of Silsbee police, captured a man that reportedly robbed Sunshine Grocery at gunpoint north of Silsbee.

Sheriff deputies were called out at 5:37 p.m. on Sunday evening to the store located at 5511 Mormon Church Road.

The clerk at the store was able to give a description of the robber to law enforcement officials, according to Captain Gary Spears.

The man allegedly entered the store wearing a mask while holding a sawed-off shotgun and demanded money.

The description by the clerk led officials to believe that the suspect was Richard Lynn Tidwell, 27, who reportedly lives in the area.

At 12:32 a.m. on Monday, Sheriff Ed Cain spotted Tidwell near Loading Dock Road and attempted to talk to him, before he fled on foot down Sunflower Drive.

After Silsbee police arrived to assist in a search of Tidwell, a homeowner on Sunflower Drive contacted the sheriff’s department about hearing someone break into their camper, according to the report.

After a search of the camper, law enforcement officials found the suspect hiding inside along with the cash and checks stolen from the robbery.

Tidwell was arrested and charged with evading detention and aggravated robbery. He was transported to the Hardin County jail, where he was arraigned on a total bond of $101,500 including $100,000 on the aggravated robbery charge.

An investigation continues with warrants to search the suspects premises to recover the weapon used in the robbery.

Making the initial call were Hardin County officials, Sgt. Grant McDowell, Deputy Jason Griffin and Deputy Trevor Samford, who were also assisted by Silsbee police.

Justice of the Peace TJ Hall set bond on Tidwell.