TUSCUMBIA — Cooperation among law enforcement agencies in two states resulted in the arrest of two Mississippi men who are charged with the armed robbery of a Colbert County package store in 2011.

Charles Edward Blankenship, 23, and Miles Andrew Goss, 26, both of Iuka, Miss., are each charged with first-degree robbery, Colbert County Sheriff Ronnie May said.

May said the two men are charged in connection with the robbery Sept. 25 at B&B Package Store on U.S. 72 in Cherokee.

“We worked with the Iuka police and the Tishomingo Sheriff’s Office on this case and one they were working on in Mississippi,” May said. “Those two agencies were able to provide us with information that we needed to make the arrest.”

The two men are accused of taking 40 packs of cigarettes, $275 cash and beer from the business. The robbery took place between 8:55 and 9 p.m., according to reports.

May said a small-caliber handgun was used in the robbery. He said no one at the business was injured.

May said the two men were in an SUV that had been reported stolen in Tishomingo County, Miss.

He said the men were picked up in Mississippi, and a short time later, the SUV was recovered.

Blankenship was transferred to Colbert County after he waived extradition.

Goss has refused to sign extradition papers and remains jailed in Mississippi while the district attorney files paperwork. “We hope to have him back in Colbert County soon,” May said.

Both men have bonds totaling $50,000.

First-degree robbery is a Class A felony punishable by 10 years to life in prison if convicted.

Tom Smith can be reached at 256-740-5757 or tom.smith@TimesDaily.com.