Investigators: Robberies Not Connected

Detectives say two violent armed robberies last week at Cass-White Road establishments do not appear to be connected.

deputies Saturday night arrested two men accused of wearing ski masks and robbing five people in a motel room. The victims said the .

Two days prior, a man walking to a Cass-White Road store from his was outside .

In all, three male victims say they were assaulted during the incidents. One man reported he was thrown against a wall while two others, including the gunshot victim, said robbers hit them in the head with firearms.

"From the evidence recovered and descriptions from those involved, we do not believe that these two incidents are related," said Sgt. Jonathan Rogers, sheriff's public information officer.

Meanwhile, the owner of a Cass-White Road motel not directly related to either incident is concerned not only about the alleged robberies, but also the attention media coverage may have focused on his business and the area known for its motels and truck stops.

Terry Terrell, owner of America's Best Inn and Suites, said news reports, some containing errors, could damage his establishment's reputation.

"We had nothing to do with this occurrence," he said, referring the alleged robbery at nearby Budget Host Inn. "The [alleged] perpetrators were not staying at our location and the crime was [allegedly] committed in the hotel above us."

Cartersville Patch also erred in the publication of a potentially misleading photograph of Terrell's motel in , which has been corrected.

While the alleged armed robbery did not take place at America's Best, the two men arrested in connection with the incident were apprehended by deputies near the business on Carson Loop, according to the sheriff's office report.

"We are not perfect and have had our share of some serious incidents," Terrell said, adding his business participates in charitable fundraisers and won related and other awards. "We take pride in trying to run a decent place for people [who] are less fortunate and don't have place that they can call home.

"We are constantly working with the Bartow homeless shelter, Bartow Collaborative Group,  and many churches in Bartow County to provide a low-cost (and sometimes free) place to live. We also work hard to stay financially alive in this down economy."

In addition to requesting corrections and clarifications from various local media outlets, Terrell said he asked sheriff's officials to consider impacts to business' reputations when completing reports and releasing crime-related information.

"Since our location is on the front line with so many other organizations, my phone and email has been bombarded with concerns" following the alleged Saturday robbery, he said. "We have enough to deal with in today's economy just trying to keep the doors open."