Robbery suspect Dakarai Neal, center, is escorted through the Warren County Sheriff’s Department Wednesday by Deputy Bill Messina, left, and investigator Todd Dykes.(The Vicksburg Post/C. TODD SHERMAN

[11/08/01]A Warren County man could face life in prison after being arrested Wednesday for striking a businessman in the head with a hammer during an armed robbery.

Dakarai “Doc” Sentell Neal, 21, who gave his address as that of a relative on China Grove Road, was arrested around 10:57 a.m. and accused of striking his former boss, said Warren County Sheriff Martin Pace.

Around 9:35, John Fraiser was in the office of W.J. Runyon & Son Inc., 6889 Paxton Road, when Neal came in. After Neal was told he could not have back the job he quit two weeks ago, Pace said Neal used a hammer to hit Fraiser, who was knocked unconscious.

Fraiser was taken to ParkView Regional Medical Center and was released after treatment, a hospital spokesman said.

Deputies began searching for Neal at the homes of his relatives and friends when Pace saw the blue Mercury Marquis Neal was reported to have driven when he left the office building.

“We had just left his house and a relatives’ house,” Pace said. “I saw him coming and blocked the road.”

A handgun witnesses said Neal had and the hammer were not in the car, Pace said. Deputies later searched for the weapons on Paxton Road, but found neither. The money stolen during the robbery was recovered at the jail, Pace said.

Neal was in the Warren County Jail this morning and was expected to make his initial appearance today in Warren County Court. In addition to the armed robbery and aggravated assault charges, he could face jail time in Missouri where he is serving three years of probation, Pace said.

Neal was given probation in April 2000 in Missouri on charges of grand larceny. If Neal is convicted, his probation could be revoked and he could have to serve jail time for the remaining of his time.

Aggravated assault is punishable by up to 20 years in prison, and armed robbery carries a possible life sentence.