Phenix City, Alabama

From Columbus, GA’s WTVM.com of October 5, 2006

Three Arrested In Store Robbery; Dead Gunman ID'ed

Three suspects are behind bars for their part in holding up a gas station and leaving behind one of their accomplices, who had been shot, in the burning getaway car.

The three people in custody are charged with robbing a convenience store on Summerville Road in Phenix City Monday night.

Police say they found the getaway vehicle, an SUV, minutes after the robbery, but it had been burned along with a body.

Timothy Hopkins, lydia Pferrman , and Brian Clows, were arrested Thursday afternoon.

Police tell us the body in the SUV was 22-year-old George Pferrman of Columbus. They say Pferrman was the robber the store employee exchanged gunfire with in the store parking lot.

Authorities say Pferrman was shot at least once by the store clerk. But coroner John Morgan says he doesn't know yet if the man died from a gun wound, or if he was burned alive.

The case is still under investigation.