Birmingham Man Arrested Following Weekend Robbery

BIRMINGHAM, AL - A 33-year-old Birmingham man has been arrested following a weekend robbery at a north Jefferson County convenience store. This morning, Jefferson County Sheriff’s detectives obtained arrest warrants formally charging Albert Ward with Robbery 1st Degree and Assault 2nd Degree.

Just before 6:30 p.m. December 8, deputies responded to a report of a robbery at a convenience store in the 6700 block of Alabama Highway 79. The 73-year-old male clerk reported that a man had entered the store and jumped over the counter. The suspect reportedly began punching the clerk in the face and told him he was going to shoot him.

According to the clerk, the suspect turned from the clerk and snatched the cash drawer from the register before running out of the store. (For more updates on this story and free news alerts for your neighborhood, sign up for your local Patch morning newsletter.)

Deputies were able to view surveillance video from the business and broadcast a description of the suspect and his vehicle to surrounding agencies. A short time later, the Blount County Sheriff’s Office reported that they had the suspect detained near Locust Fork.

The suspect, then identified as Ward, was taken to the Center Point Substation and questioned by detectives. He admitted to committing the robbery and assaulting the clerk.

Ward remains in the Jefferson County Jail with bond set at $75,000.

Photo via Jefferson County Sheriff's Office