Law & Order

RUSSELLVILLE

Burglaries under investigation

Local authorities are investigating a pair of burglaries that occurred Friday evening in Russellville.

Russellville police said one of the burglaries occurred at a business, while the other was at a residence.

Investigator Lt. Scotty Lowery said Video and Varmints, on St. Clair Street, was broken into late Friday night. Reports indicate cash was the only thing taken from the business.

Lowery said also Friday night, a residence in Country Hills Subdivision, which is off of U.S. 43, was broken into. Reports indicate a handgun, prescription pills and a chain saw was taken from the residence.

Lowery said it's unknown if the burglaries are related.

He said anyone with information about either burglary is asked to call Russellville police at 332-2230 or Shoals Area CrimeStoppers at 386-8685.

HAMILTON

Probe under way in armed robbery

Hamilton police say a local man has been arrested and charged in connection with an armed robbery that took place Saturday morning.

Police Chief Teena Fields said 47-year-old Robert Earl Morris, Hamilton, has been charged with armed robbery and is being held in the Marion County Jail.

Fields said Morris is accused of robbing a local convenience store clerk with a baseball bat Saturday morning just before 3:30 a.m. Department officials said the robbery occurred at Yogi's Citgo on Alabama 17.

Authorities said a black man walked into the business, told the clerk to open the register and threatened her with a baseball bat. Reports indicate when she opened the register, the panic alarm went off, and the suspect grabbed the money from the cash drawer and then forced to victim to lie on the floor. Investigators said the suspect then tied the victim's hands and feet, pulled the phone out of the wall and left the building.

Witnesses gave police a description of the suspect and his vehicle. Fields said police know the suspect's vehicle and were able to make the arrest.

ARRESTS

• Red Bay policeWilliam R. Sanders, 49, 10th N.E., Red Bay; unlawful possession of a controlled substance.

• Tracy Michael Rubley, 26, 3501 Oakwood Boulevard, Sheffield; unlawful possession of a controlled substance.

REPORTS

Sheffield Police

• Burglary: A rifle, two 12-gauge shotguns, .22-caliber rifle and 410-caliber shotgun were taken from a residence in the 900 block of North Columbia Avenue.

• Burglary: Food items were taken from a refrigerator at a residence in the 3000 block of 19th Avenue and the inside of the residence was damaged and ransacked.