Crime

Authorities track down Christmas triple-robbery suspect in Phenix City

Crime scene tape image
Crime scene tape image

Multiple law enforcement agencies on the hunt for an Auburn, Alabama, Christmas Day triple-robbery suspect captured him Tuesday in Phenix City, authorities said.

Detorrance Jakell Tolbert of Auburn was arrested by Auburn police with the aid of Phenix City officers, the U.S, Marshals Fugitive Task Force and the FBI Safe Streets Task Force, investigators said. The 24-year-old was charged with three counts of first-degree robbery.

He was taken to the Lee County Jail, where his bond is set at $300,000, police said. He faces a maximum penalty of life in prison.

Auburn police were on the hunt for Tolbert after reports of three robberies between 7:40 p.m. Friday and 8:40 p.m. Saturday, at businesses in the 1900 Block of East Glenn Avenue, 1700 Block of Opelika Road, and the 1400 Block of Opelika Road.

The robber’s description matched in all three incidents: a thin man between 25 and 35 years old in a black hooded sweat shirt or jacket, black tennis shoes, and a red vest. In each case, he brandished a handgun and demanded case before fleeing in a white truck.

Tim Chitwood
Columbus Ledger-Enquirer
Tim Chitwood is from Seale, Alabama, and started as a police beat reporter with the Ledger-Enquirer in 1982. He since has covered Columbus’ serial killings and other homicides, following some from the scene of the crime to trial verdicts and ensuing appeals. He also has been a Ledger-Enquirer humor columnist since 1987. He’s a graduate of Auburn University, and started out working for the weekly Phenix Citizen in Phenix City, Ala.
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