Howard County police arrested Nortel Maurice Clayton, of Laurel, Wednesday in connection with an armed robbery and carjacking.

Clayton, of the 9500 block of Canterbury Riding, has been charged for crimes committed at the Whiskey Bottom Shopping Center on All Saints Road in Laurel on Dec. 5.

According to police, Clayton asked a liquor store patron for a ride, which the victim declined.

When the man left the store, Clayton, 21, forced him into the passenger seat of the victim’s car, and drove to ATMs, where he withdrew money from the man’s account, according to police.

Clayton also drove around the Canterbury Riding apartment complex, honking the horn, and forced the man to buy cigarettes at a gas station, police said.

He then returned to the apartment complex and left the car with liquor, cigarettes and stolen cash, according to police.

Earlier that day police were called to the shopping center for an armed robbery in which another victim had left a Subway sandwich shop when Clayton approached and asked for a ride, according to police.

When the man declined and attempted to leave, Clayton displayed a knife and demanded the man's wallet before fleeing toward the apartment complex, police said.

Clayton has been charged with armed robbery, robbery, armed carjacking, kidnapping, first- and second-degree assault, motor vehicle theft, theft, reckless endangerment and credit card fraud.

He is being held at the Howard County Detention Center on $350,000 bond.

-- Sarah Breitenbach

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