Colbert Heights, Alabama



From the Florence Times-Daily of November 4, 2004

Gun-toting clerk foils robbery attempt



The man came looking for a quick payday. He fled the business empty-handed.



That's the way sheriff's officials describe a Tuesday morning robbery attempt at a convenience store in the Colbert Heights community.



Clarence Wayne White, 47, was apprehended early Wednesday afternoon at his mother's residence, said Colbert County Sheriff Ronnie May.



White, 2160 County Farm Road, is charged with first-degree robbery and was being held in the county jail with bail set at $50,000.



"I'm glad no one was hurt," May said. "The clerk was not injured, and fortunately for Mr. White, he wasn't hurt, either. It could have turned out much differently."



May said the clerk at Colbert Heights Mini-Mart arrived for work about 5:20 a.m. Tuesday. He said the clerk knew White and noticed him sitting in a white Dodge pickup that was parked outside the business.



"(White) got out of his truck, got some gas in a container and entered the store," White said. "He got a cold drink from the cooler and approached the clerk.



"He produced a wide-blade knife in the right hand and ordered the clerk to give him all the money in the cash register."



May said the clerk paused briefly and asked White if he was serious.



"White told the clerk, 'I'm serious. Give me the money,' " May said.



The clerk retrieved a handgun from underneath the counter and pointed it at White.



May said the clerk calmly asked White: "Do you want this or the money?"



"(White) didn't stick around. He ran from the store, got in his truck and headed north on Woodmont Drive," May said.



The sheriff's office looked for White throughout the day Tuesday and into Wednesday. White was found about 2 p.m.



May said investigators are preparing paperwork for another arrest warrant against White. It will accuse him of forgery in a case involving several bad checks that were passed in the county.