Friday, Jan. 27, 2012

RICHMOND CTY., Ga. -- Deputies in Richmond County took one person into custody Thursday night after an unusual incident at Candlewood Suites on Claussen Road.

According to investigators, Michael John Lynce Jr. went into the hotel and asked for a room, telling the clerk he was an undercover police officer and wanted the room for free. Lynce was told there were no rooms available, so he asked to use the phone.

Since company policy prohibits staff from allowing guests to dial the phone, the clerk dialed the number and handed the phone to Lynce. The line was busy, so Lynce told the clerk just to let him dial it. The clerk did not comply.

At this point, Lynce became irate and threatened to blow up the building and shoot the employee. Some guests had come into the lobby and he also threatened them, then put his hand up his shirt to act like he had a weapon and robbed one of the guests. Before he could leave, another guest ran him down and held him until deputies arrived.

Lynce was booked into the Richmond County Jail on charges of terroristic threats and acts, robbery by intimidation and impersonating a police officer.