By By ROBERT BLANKENSHIP
Advance Managing Editor
The Atmore Police Department has made four arrests in connection with a robbery that took place at a local convenience store.
James Brown, a 17-year-old of Bay Minette, was arrested and charged with robbery, first degree on April 27. Police officials said that Brown has confessed to being the gunman in the robbery.
Also arrested were Theautry Cooper, a 20-year-old male of Atmore, charged on May 1; Henry Wallace, a 16-year-old of Atmore, charged on May 7; and Lionel Bright, a 17-year-old male of Atmore, charged on April 26. All of the suspects have been charged as adults with robbery, first degree.
Another warrant has been obtained for one more suspect who remains at large.
Police officials said at approximately 2:30 a.m. Wednesday, April 18, a male entered Minute Stop No. Two on Highway 31 West, pulled a firearm and demanded money from the cashier who was working there. The suspect then fled on foot.
Police said the robbery was linked to a group of men who were with a broken-down automobile in the store's parking lot.
When police arrived on the scene the car remained in the parking lot, but all the men had left. The employees told police they recognized the suspect as one of the men in that group.
Police set a perimeter and began searching for the suspects. After searching the area, police found two individuals, one of which said he was the driver of the automobile, but denied knowledge of the robbery.
According to Police Chief Danny McKinley, employees at the store said several of the men who were with the broken-down car had come in and out to borrow tools to work on the car. When police arrived on the scene, the car remained in the parking lot, but all the men had left. The employees told police they recognized the suspect as one of the men in that group.
The APD arrested Cooper the morning of the robbery. He was charged with public intoxication at that time and was interviewed regarding the robbery.
According to APD Investigator John Brantley, the suspects who did not enter the store are facing robbery, first degree charges due their knowledge of the incident and their failure to report it to law enforcement officers or try to prevent the offense from occurring.
The investigation is closed pending the arrest of the final suspect.