Staff Writer

A Jonesville man is accused of threatening to rob a cell phone service booth set up inside Wal-Mart.

Antonio Donielle Smith, 31, of 258 Mt. Joy Church Road was charged Saturday by the Union Public Safety Department with attempted armed robbery. He is being held in the Union County Jail on $25,000 surety bond.

A report said Cpl. Scott Coffer was called to the Alltel booth at Wal-Mart in West Towne Plaza around 3 p.m. A clerk said a man - later identified as Smith - approached the counter and she asked how she could help him. He told her to stay calm and open the cash drawer; he had a gun and would shoot her if she did not comply.

The clerk said she got money from the drawer and Smith told her he was just joking. He then proceeded to make a transaction for his phone. The clerk said she was still frightened, but completed the transaction. Smith then walked behind her and said, “I'm serious this time. Empty the cash drawer.”

Then Smith received a phone call. The clerk gathered up the cash and ran to the assistant manager. Smith left.

Coffer and Investigator Robbie McGee reviewed a surveillance video with the clerk. Coffer obtained the name and phone account number, which came back to Smith. Officers called Smith and he agreed to come to public safety headquarters. After McGee read Smith his rights, Smith admitted to the incident but said he was only joking and was not serious.