N.C. Crime Control and Public Safety Secretary Reuben Young will present ALE Special Agent Robert W. Huneycutt with the department's Heroism Award at 1 p.m. at the Speedway Club at the Charlotte Motor Speedway.

Huneycutt was working in Charlotte the evening of April 16, checking various businesses for violations of the state's alcohol laws. He was driving south on North Sharon Amity Road about 1 a.m. when he noticed a man walking his dog on one side of the street and three men walking along side a vehicle with its headlights off on the other side. Huneycutt reportedly then saw the three men cross the road and attack the pedestrian, striking him with their fists. The man immediately fell to the ground covering his face. Two of the individuals continued to strike him with their fists and feet.

Huneycutt immediately turned on his blue lights, crossed the median and positioned his vehicle with the headlights shining on the assailants and the victim. All three of the suspects began to run away. Huneycutt followed on foot and was able to catch one of the suspects and place him under arrest. The victim only received minor injuries from the attack.

“Because of Huneycutt's quick thinking, judgment and his courage in an emergency he stopped the robbery and probably prevented serious injury to the victim,” said Richard Griffin, ALE special agent in charge of the Charlotte district office. “He was also able to make an arrest.”

ALE has 117 agents across North Carolina to enforce alcohol, tobacco and gaming laws.