A couple is facing aggravated robbery charges after a Carter County man says he was struck with a rubber mallet and had more than $1,100 taken from him.

Rebecca McCandless, 25, 560 Rambo Drive, Greeneville and Amos Stout, 22, 691 Highway 67, Mountain City, have both been arrested and charged with aggravated robbery by the Carter County Sheriff’s Department.

CCSD Deputy Christopher Reichenbach responded to Minton Hollow Road shortly after midnight Friday where James Renfro, 51, and his brother Charles, had followed the couple after the alleged robbery.

Renfro told officers Stout and McCandless stopped at his home on Volunteer Drive earlier in the day on Thursday. He asked Stout to take him to the store, and on the way there they stopped under the Lover’s Lane Bridge. Stout and Renfro got out of the vehicle and Stout asked Renfro for $5 to buy cigarettes, Reichenbach said.

“When James pulled money out of his pocket, Mr. Stout grabbed the money and put it in his pocket,” Reichenbach said.

Stout and Renfro then got into a physical fight, and Renfro told officers Stout struck him with a rubber mallet. Reichenbach reported Renfro had injuries on his face, stomach and neck consistent with being struck with an object. Renfro told Reichenbach more than $1,100 had been taken.

Stout allegedly then got back into the vehicle and McCandless drove them from the scene. During the incident, Renfro called his brother who came and picked him up and followed the couple to a home on Minton Hollow Road.

A short search at the home found Stout and McCandless, who were taken into custody. Reichenbach said when Stout was arrested he had $1,150 in his pocket.