By By Sherry Digmon
Advance Staff Writer
All four juveniles wanted in the robbery of Wayside Grocery last week have been arrested.
Antwan Bowens, 17, and Derrick Tyrone Hudson, 18, both of Atmore, have been charged as adults with robbery first degree, according to Sheriff Tim Hawsey. Since the other two are under 15 years of age, their names cannot be released, but both were charged with robbery first degree.
A juvenile 16 or older charged with a Class A felony, such as using a deadly weapon in the commission of a crime, can be charged as an adult, Atmore Police Chief Danny McKinley said.
According to reports, the four entered Wayside about 2:45 p.m. last Thursday. Two of the suspects allegedly held an employee at gun point while the other two emptied the cash register. The four then fled, heading south toward Atmore.
McKinley and Investigator Darrell Holsonback, with the 21st Judicial Circuit Drug Task Force, spotted the suspects on Carver Avenue and gave chase.
Prison dogs and several law enforcement agencies joined in the search which ended at Escambia County Middle School. Investigators believe the suspects were picked up at that point.
Bowens, accompanied by his parents, turned himself in later the same day. That evening, Atmore Police Officer Barry Hurst apprehended one of the younger juvenile suspects on Liberty Street in Atmore.
The Sheriff's Department picked up Hudson and the other juvenile.
Both Hudson and Bowens were held on $10,000 bond. Bowens made bond the day after the robbery. The two 15-year-olds were released to their parents the day after.
As of press time Tuesday, Hudson had not made bond and remained in the county jail.