A 21-year-old man remains in jail today, two days after his alleged attempted robbery of a convenience store led to tense moments for students and other residents in the Pleasant Hill community.

The robbery happened at about 1 p.m. Tuesday at W.T. Owens store on Pleasant Hill Drive.

According to the Sheriff’s Office, Darrel Damain Linen, of 31414 County Line Road walked in the store with what appeared to be a handgun. He demanded money from the employee who refused to give him any cash.

 Linen, who was wearing all black, exited the store through the front door empty-handed. No one was injured during the incident.

It was at first believed he fled the scene on foot but a woman who lives near the store reported her 1997 Ford Thunderbird had been taken from her yard. A deputy noted he saw the car being driven from the residence around the time of the robbery.

The vehicle had not been recovered as of midday Thursday, according to Sheriff’s Office spokeswoman Carrie Cuthbertson.

Linen has been charged with grand larceny in connection with the vehicle theft.

“(It) is believed to be associated with this incident, but it is still an active investigation,” Cuthbertson said.

He has also been charged with Armed Robbery, Kidnapping and Possession of a Weapon during the Commission of a Crime.

Cuthbertson said even though the incident did not last long, Linen is charged with kidnapping because he did hold the store owner against his will.

After the robbery, a perimeter was set up and deputies conducted an extensive search with the help of bloodhounds. Linen was not located.

Cuthbertson said Linen contacted authorities at about 11 p.m. Tuesday and said he wanted to turn himself in.

“Deputies responded to his family residence … and Linen was taken into custody without incident,” Cuthbertson said.

Because Tuesday’s search was taking place near Pleasant Hill Elementary School, that campus was placed on lock down and parents had to sign a form in order to pick their children up at the end of the school day.

Students who ride a bus were driven home in their bus with a deputy escort.

District Superintendent Dr. Randy Dozier and school Principal Teddy Graham rode on the buses as an extra precaution.

Dozier spoke about the events at Tuesday evening’s school board meeting.

“I want to thank the Sheriff’s Office for their quick response in helping us get the kids home,” he said. “Pleasant Hill did an exceptional job. The community was extremely cooperative.”

By Scott Harper

sharper@gtowntimes.com