Man charged in early morning store robbery

Published 5:43 pm Friday, February 24, 2012

A 33-year-old Jemison man was arrested Friday morning and charged with an overnight store robbery.

Justin Brian Porter was arrested at approximately 4 a.m. Friday for a strong-armed robbery that happened about an hour earlier at the Peachtower Chevron on Lay Dam Road. He is booked in the Chilton County Jail on a $10,000 bond.

Patrol officers identified Porter from surveillance video, and Clanton officers along with Chilton County Sheriff’s deputies began a search. Deputy Jessica Mims located the suspect near Liberty Street, where he pulled into a driveway and then fled on foot, said CPD Capt. David Clackley.

After a brief search, officers Nathan Willis and Alvin Winters located the suspect in a nearby abandoned house on 11th Street; he tried to run again but was arrested, Clackley said.

“Due to the video evidence and the dedication of the patrol officers, this suspect was apprehended within an hour of the offense. I would like to say great job to all of the officers and deputies involved in the apprehension of the suspect. We appreciate the Sheriff’s Office for their assistance in this case.” Clackley said.

Detective Robert Bland will be working the case for Clanton PD.