Victim injured during armed robbery at drug store; suspect at large

Police are looking for the suspect from an armed robbery that took place early Sunday morning.

Hoover police responded to the CVS Pharmacy on Chase Drive around 4:32 a.m. on Oct. 16, following a report of an armed robbery. A male wearing a red ski cap and a red bandana covering his face and carrying a shotgun entered the store and held the clerk at gunpoint, according to Hoover police. The man reportedly demanded cash from the registers and forced the clerk to the back of the store, ordering him to open the safe.

The victim grabbed the shotgun from the suspect, and during a struggle between the victim and suspect, a shot was fired into the floor, according to police. The victim had minor leg injuries and was taken to UAB Medical West in Hoover. He was treated and released.

“Attempting to disarm a gunman is generally not the best idea, but the employee did what he felt he had to do,” Hoover police Capt. Gregg Rector said. “He was able to take the gun away from the robber and suffered a couple of pellet wounds to his legs when the gun discharged. The outcome could have certainly been much worse.”

The suspect ran off, leaving the shotgun behind, according to police. He is described as a black male, about 5 feet 8 inches tall, with a muscular build. Anyone with information is asked to call Sgt. Clint Blackmon at 444-7582. Anyone hoping to remain anonymous can call Crime Stoppers of Metro Alabama at 254-7777.

“This case will be a top priority for our investigators until the suspect is identified and arrested,” Rector said. “We have very few business robberies in our city, and we’ll focus our resources on capturing this individual.”