Son Of Roswell Fire Chief Charged With Armed Robbery

By Doug Gross

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CUMMING, GA -- Two Roswell teens, one of which is the son of the city's fire chief, have been arrested for the armed robbery of a gas station in Forsyth County.

Stephan Burnette, 17, and Troy Palmer, 18, had also conducted at least three other armed robberies -- in Cobb and Gwinnett counties and Roswell -- the same night, according to a Facebook post by the Forsyth County Sheriff's Office.

Burnette is the son of Roswell Fire Chief Ricky Burnette, the chief told Patch. The chief declined to comment on his son's legal situation, however.

Burnette and Palmer entered the Chevron gas station at 2595 Buford Dam Road, near Lake Lanier, at about 9 p.m. Tuesday, according to Forsyth police reports.

Burnette allegedly pointed a semi-automatic handgun at the chest of an employee and the two made off in a black SUV with an undisclosed amount of money, authorities say.

They were arrested at about 2 a.m. Wednesday during a traffic stop on Buford Highway near the entrance to Ga. 400.

Evidence of the crime, including the handgun, a bandanna worn by Burnette and about $1,000 was found inside their vehicle, authorities said.

Both men are being held without bond at Forsyth County Jail.

They are both charged with armed robbery, and Burnette faces an additional charge of possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony.

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Photo: Troy Palmer, left, and Stephan Burnette. Credit: Forsyth County Sheriff's Office