Man arrested in Martinsburg robbery

File image.

MARTINSBURG, W. Va.– A former employee who had recently been fired has now been arrested in the armed robbery of a Martinsburg business.

Berkeley County Sheriff Nathan Harmon tells the Panhandle News Network an armed robbery occurred Dec. 18 at the business, called Jakki’s, at 157 Warm Spring Avenue in Martinsburg.

A man had fled the business with an undisclosed amount of money. Deputies say he demanded the money while holding a knife.

Investigators reviewed video footage and learned the suspect had fled the scene in a red SUV. They reviewed footage from school buses in the area to further determine the make and model of that vehicle.

They tied the red Ford Explorer to a former employee, Gary Alan Prieb, who had recently been fired.

Police obtained a warrant on a separate offense, failure to register as a sex offender 2nd offense. Prieb was arrested January 13th in Leesburg on that warrant. A subsequent search of his vehicle and a hotel room in Jefferson County uncovered evidence they say tie Prieb to the armed robbery.