AROUND THE AREA
Customer thwarts grocery store robbery An attempted robbery ended calmly and non-violently thanks to the quick-thinking of an anonymous Winn-Dixie shopper, according to an eyewitness. The Alexander City Police Department was called to the scene at checkout aisle one last month to take a robbery suspect into custody. When the cops arrived, the anonymous hero took his groceries and left. “The guy just gave everybody a wave and left, and I felt like we probably should have applauded,” Coosa County resident Cameron Lackey said. “Everybody seemed frozen except for that guy, and I just thought it was remarkable how quickly he sprang into action. Lackey, who works for Alexander City Schools, said she was standing in line for checkout a few aisles down when a cashier let out a yelp. “The attempted robber grabbed the cashier and had his arms around her, and she was saying ‘OK, just let me get it; let me get it,’” she said. Alexander City police captain Mario Hodge confirmed the scene. “He came up behind the cashier, held her arms against her side and told her to give him the money,” Hodge said. Lackey, hands shaking, said she tried to auto-dial emergency services on her iPhone but couldn’t think straight. It was at that point that a man in his 40s or 50s came up behind the suspect, put him in what Lackey described as a wrestling hold and slowly lowered him to the ground, all the while speaking to the suspect in soothing tones.
According to the eyewitness, the man appeared to be trained in de-escalation techniques. “It was over just as quickly as it started,” Lackey said. “It was very smooth. I can almost promise he didn’t hurt the guy.” The random citizen continued to restrain the suspect until the police arrived; then, he took off. Lackey said she regrets not thanking him. “I think he needs to be acknowledged as a hero,” she said. “Because whether that fellow was armed or not, I think that was really scary for everybody involved.” Hodge also commended the anonymous citizen. “We appreciate the help from a local hero that quickly diffused the situation,” he said. ~ Siri Hedreen & Cliff Williams
$1,000 for more trees in Dadeville The Dadeville Beautification Board was handed a check for $1,000 — the maximum amount awarded — for the purchase of trees through the Alabama Power Foundation's “Good Roots” program. Alabama Power community relations manager Steve Marlowe presented the grant to beautification board president Mickey Forbus at the Dadeville City Council meeting last month. “Through this grant program, communities, cities and towns can apply for up to $1,000 to purchase trees and to plant them for the beautification of their town,” Marlowe said. “And I want to commend the City of Dadeville and in particular the Dadeville Beautification Board.” Beautification board member Jerry McGukin also gave a shout-out to Kurt A Growing Town Pfitzner who wrote the grant. DBB received an “If he doesn’t have the abiliAlabama Power ties he’s got, that wouldn’t get Foundation done,” McGukin said. grant to ~ Cliff Williams purchase trees. Lake Martin Living 9
