NEWPORT NEWS, Va. (WVEC) -- Authorities have arrested a man on murder charges after they found a 62-year-old man dead in his Newport News home on Monday.
Andrew Thomas Norton, 36, faces multiple charges including first-degree murder, robbery, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and use of a firearm in the commission of a felony.
Officers came into contact with Norton Wednesday and took him into custody without incident.
Police declared the suspicious death a homicide and began investigating Monday morning.
Dispatch received a call just after 11:30 a.m. and police were sent to the scene in the 600 block of Harpersville Rd.
Arriving officers found Bryce Edward Hinkle, 62, with a gunshot wound inside the residence.
Medics declared the Hinkle deceased at the scene.
The lead detective says neighbors saw a suspicious looking car in the area, noted the license number and went to check on Hinkle.
When they looked through an open door, they saw the victim lying on the floor and immediately called 911.
Hinkle also owned a local lawnmower sale and repair business that he ran out of the home.
Jim Snethen knew Hinkle for more than 15 years. His worst nightmares came true Monday night.
"We watched the news again, it showed it again, I tried calling him of course he didn't answer his phone but once I heard a 60-year-old man I figured it was him," Snethen says.
Neighbors say everyone knew Hinkle, or Mr. Ed as most people called him. He was the guy who mowed lawns and fixed everyone's lawn mowers.
"It's a shame and it's a shame when it hits so close to home,” Robert Coffil says. “Literally we are two houses away."
Homicide detectives are conducting the investigation.
Norton is being held in the Newport News City Jail. His next court date is August 19.