A construction worker at the Kia Motors site was in critical condition after he was robbed and assaulted at West Point Motel on U.S. 29.

A cleaning person found Paul Wheatley, 53, in his motel room bed about 8 a.m. Monday and called 911.

The victim, a West Virginia resident who had been living at the motel, appeared to have been beaten about the face and head, and was semi-conscious, said Troup County sheriff’s Chief Investigator Charles Nixon.

Robbery appeared to be the motive since Wheatley’s wallet and money were missing.

He was taken to Columbus Medical Center, where a spokesman described his condition as critical this morning.

Nixon said the attack occurred sometime after 8 p.m. Saturday, the last time investigators are aware that someone spoke with the victim, who worked for an out-of-town company called Highland Excavating.

Investigators didn’t have any leads on a suspect, Nixon said.

Armed robbery suspect charged

A Columbus man has been charged with an April armed robbery after information was provided to LaGrange police.

Police said Alton Holston, 31, entered the PCA Package Store at 1202 Hogansville Road on April 2 wearing a baseball cap, asked the female clerk where the beer was, then pulled a small revolver on her. The clerk fought back with a ballpoint pen and gave the gunman no money.

Holston allegedly fired a shot at the clerk as he was running out.

“The case kind of went dead there for a while,” police investigator Wayne Cato said.

Information given to police later, however, resulted a search warrant being taken out Saturday, leading police to Holston.

Holston was charged with criminal attempt of robbery, aggravated assault and two counts possession of a firearm or knife during the commission of a crime.

Porch vandalized with food

A woman’s front porch was found vandalized Monday by someone with a penchant for food.

Police said the woman walked outside about 8 a.m. and found phrases such as “fish nasty” written on the porch with mustard and egg yolks. The vandals also left road signs spelling out “706 I” near the food.

Damage was estimated at $1.

‘Beef-napper’ locked in store

A homeless man was locked inside Fuller’s Superette on Monday after allegedly attempting to steal two beef rib packages valued at $21.

Police said another man served as a lookout while the homeless man slipped the meat into a plastic bag. A worker at Fuller’s watched the two, blocked their paths as they tried to leave and locked the door.

The first man told police he was hungry and hadn’t eaten all day. Both men were charged with shoplifting.

Arrests

— Rocky Williams, 32, of Gallant Street was charged with a probation violation and possession of marijuana with an intent to distribute.

— Larry Lockhart, 50, of East Sixth Street in West Point was charged with aggravated assault and probation violations.

— Tarvarus Brooks, 24, of LaFayette, Ala., was charged by West Point police with aggravated assault.

Damage

— A green Honda Accord was keyed in the 200 block of Heritage Road, causing about $1,000 damage.

— A combatant in a fight in the Tall Pines Apartments parking lot at 150 Turner St. jumped on a car hood, causing about $450 damage.

— The letters were torn off a business sign at D’lisa’s Clothing at 1101 Hogansville Road, causing about $150 damage.

Thefts, burglaries

— Multiple electronic items, including a laptop and MP3 player, with a total value of about $2,110, were taken from a Chevy Impala in the Hampton Inn parking lot at 100 Willis Circle.

— A laptop, valued at $1,500, was taken from a Dodge truck in the Hampton Inn parking lot at 100 Willis Circle.

— A resident of the 400 block of Edgemont Drive reported the theft of plumbing equipment valued at $250.

- It is the policy of LaGrange Daily News to print the names of people charged with felonies.