WALB.com News, Weather and Sports for Albany, Valdosta and Thomasville. Leading the way for South Georgia. | Armed robbery leads to shoot out, suspect killed
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By Cade Fowler - bio | email
ALBANY, GA (WALB) – Crime scene investigators rolled into the 1500 block of Cromartie Beach Road Tuesday night to piece together a deadly botched robbery.
Police say around 11:30 p.m. two armed robbers held up three men and woman as they got out of a car. But it wasn't just the robbers who were armed, so was one of the victims.
"We do know that the victims were robbed at gunpoint and at some point there was gunfire exchanged," said Phyllis Banks-Whitley, Albany Police media manager.
A shootout began when one of the three male robbery victims pulled his own gun and began firing at the suspects. One of the armed robbers took off running while the other returned fire. But it was the suspect who found himself on the receiving end of a bullet. He was pronounced dead a short time later at Phoebe Putney Memorial Hospital.
Despite a barrage a of gunfire, none of the victims were struck. They were taken in for questioning at the Law Enforcement Center downtown.
"These people were coming home when they were approached by these suspects who were armed and demanded money. They were able to get a couple of items from them," said Banks-Whitley.
"This surprises me what happened tonight," said Herbert Godbee. He lives just a few blocks away from where the shooting happened and says this Cromartie Beach Road neighborhood is fairly quiet. But realizing how close he lives to where deadly armed robbery took place has made him aware that crime can lurk anywhere.
"I'm going to protect myself. I stay to myself in my house. I go and come and I watch and look. But I'm not taking a chance," he said.
This armed robbery was the second on Cromartie Beach Road Tuesday night and the third since late October to occur in the East Albany neighborhood.
Police have not released the name of the suspect who was killed. Investigators say they are working to gather more information about the second suspect who got away.
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