From Staff Reports
Multiple law enforcement agencies worked together to capture six suspects following a robbery in the parking lot of Publix on Old Springville Road in Clay last night.
Around 9:15, an adult female walking to her car was robbed at gunpoint by two females who took the victim’s purse, fleeing in a gold Ford
Expedition. After the victim called 911, a description of the suspects was broadcast to responding deputies and surrounding agencies. The
vehicle was spotted by Trussville Police on Chalkville Mountain Road heading toward Trussville, then turned onto Interstate 59 North where deputies and Trussville Police attempted to conduct a traffic stop. The vehicle fled north on the interstate traveling to mile marker 155. Trussville Police, Argo Police Springville Police and the St. Clair County Sheriff’s Office assisted in the chase.
Six suspects exited the vehicle and fled on foot. Four female juveniles were taken into custody. Search dogs were brought in from the Alabama Department of Corrections to assist in searching for the other two. The dogs located one of the remaining suspects, a 21-year-old male, just before midnight. They located the final suspect, a 19-year-old male, just after 2 a.m. this morning.
Authorities discovered that the vehicle had been reported stolen to Birmingham police earlier in the evening.
Jefferson County Chief Deputy Randy Christian said, “I want to commend all involved in getting this batch of young thugs, ranging in age 14 to 21, locked up. Trussville police, St. Clair County deputies, State Department of Corrections, our personnel and others quickly cast a net that they could not escape.”
Tamarius Oneil Smith, 21, and his brother, Adam Demond Andrews, 19, of Birmingham were arrested and charged with first-degree robbery. They remain in the Jefferson County jail with bond set at $60,000. The other four suspects are all female juveniles ranging in age from 14 to 15. They will be charged through family court.
Christian said the suspects were caught quickly because of great communication from the victim to 911 and to law enforcement.
“That’s textbook work. We continue to be shocked and disappointed and disturbed in a segment of young people immersing themselves in this devil-may-care dangerous and violent criminal activity. Moms and Dads do you know where your child is and what they are doing?”
All six suspects are believed to be responsible for robberies in Hueytown and Birmingham before being caught.