By Gary Lloyd
PINSON — Jefferson County sheriff’s deputies have arrested a Pinson man who allegedly robbed three eastern Jefferson County businesses in recent weeks to support his heroin addiction.
Billy Ross Sullivan II, 39, is charged with two counts of first-degree robbery. Additional charges are expected. He is in Jefferson County Jail with bond set at $120,000.
According to the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office, at about 6 p.m. Sunday deputies responded to a report of a robbery at the CVS in the 5700 block of Chalkville Mountain Road in Grayson Valley. A man entered the store and demanded money from the cashier, said Chief Deputy Randy Christian. He held his hand in his pocket as if he had a gun, but he left without getting the money, Christian said.
About 20 minutes later, deputies responded to a report of a robbery with similar circumstances at the Winn Dixie store located in the 4700 block of Center Point Road in Pinson. Money was taken in this robbery, Christian said. The description of the suspect was the same as the one given in the CVS robbery. A description of the suspect’s vehicle was broadcast to responding deputies. A nearby deputy spotted the suspect traveling south on Center Point Road and conducted a traffic stop.
Sullivan was taken into custody and money taken in the robbery was recovered, Christian said. No gun was found in the vehicle or on the suspect. The suspect’s mother was also in the car when it was stopped. It was learned that she had not entered either of the stores and had no knowledge of the robberies, Christian said.
Christian said the suspect was questioned by detectives and admitted to committing both robberies. Sullivan also confessed to committing a robbery of the Food Giant in Pinson on Jan. 10. He said he needed the money to support a heroin addiction, Christian said.
Contact Gary Lloyd at news@trussvilletribune.com and follow him on Twitter @GaryALloyd.