45-year-old Johnny Reed Gum of 12th Street NE in Hickory was arrested Wednesday (November 1) in connection to an armed robbery at a Burke County business. He’s charged with felonious robbery with a dangerous weapon.

As WHKY previously reported, on Tuesday (October 31), Burke County deputies responded to an armed robbery call at the Dollar General in Rhodhiss. The suspect displayed what appeared to be a handgun to the clerks and demanded money. The suspect got away with an undisclosed amount of cash and cigarettes. During the investigation, Burke County deputies identified the suspect as Johnny Lee Gum.

On Wednesday, the Hickory Police Department took Johnny Gum into custody without incident. A search warrant was executed at Gum’s residence in Hickory and evidence was seized that was related to the crime. On June 26, 2023, Johnny Gum was charged with Robbery with a Dangerous Weapon and the case is pending Grand Jury indictment in Catawba County.

Gum was transported to the Burke County Jail where he was incarcerated under no bond on a 48-hour hold. A District Court date was scheduled today (November 2). The investigation continues, and the findings will be turned over to the District Attorney’s Office.