Two suspects wanted for an armed robbery in May at the American Legion have been arrested, and were in possession of a large amount of a substance suspected to be heroin.

Picayune Police Department Assistant Chief Jeremy Magri said on June 26 the department received a tip through Facebook that 20-year-old Joanna Henley of 919 Ponderosa Dr. in Baton Rouge, La., and 17-year-old Newton Knight of 56 Shorty Burgess Rd., were in town.

A detective responded to the area of the tip and saw a vehicle matching the description leaving a local restaurant and conducted a stop on Miss. 43 S., where Henley and Knight were positively identified, Magri said. Both suspects were taken into custody for the armed robbery warrants and a search of Knight found a large bag containing a brown powdery substance believed to be heroin in his pocket, Magri said.

A search of the vehicle located several substances commonly used to cut the drug along with materials used to pack and sell controlled substances, including sandwich bags and digital scales, Magri said.

Officers found a .25 caliber handgun in Henley’s purse, which led her to be charged with possession of a firearm by a convicted felon due to a previous conviction out of Tangipahoa Parish, Magri said.

Knight was additionally charged with felony possession of a controlled substance with intent to distribute and providing false information to a law enforcement officer because he initially gave a false name.

Henley was additionally charged with possession of a controlled substance with intent to distribute while in possession of a firearm.

The armed robbery charges stem from an incident that occurred on May 11, where Henley, Knight and three other suspects were allegedly involved in the beating and robbery of a man outside of the American Legion.

A previous story in the Item states that on May 11, several people were hanging out in the parking lot of the American Legion, when Knight and the victim engaged in a physical altercation.

The story states that at one point Henley pulled a gun on the victim and demanded money and valuables, the previous story states.

The victim was then tied up and beaten for an extended period of time, the story states.

Three other suspects were arrested a couple of days later for their involvement in the armed robbery, including 26-year-old David Hight and 29-year-old Hillary Dill, both of 46 Aubry Holsten Rd., Carriere and 30-year-old Jeana Stockstill of 1811 Highway 11 S.

Hight, Dill and Stockstill were not reported to be involved in the June 26 traffic stop.