Robber nabbed after 115 m.p.h. chase

A foiled robbery attempt Friday morning caused a high-speed chase to carry three suspects from Pell City to Wilsonville during the wee hours of the morning.

According to the Pell City Police Department, Officer Jerry Bobo spotted three suspects breaking into the Eden Food Mart on Cogswell Avenue shortly after 2 a.m. Friday. Police Chief Greg Turley said the men had gotten the safe out of the business, but were unable to load it into their vehicle before being detected.

“The officers caught the guys red-handed, and went on a high-speed chase through the area of Glenn Chase, the south end of Pell City, and down to Wilsonville,” Police Chief Greg Turley said.

The chase reached over 115 miles per hour, until officers spike strips and a “wedge” technique used by police officers disabled the vehicle in question. One suspect jumped out of the vehicle during the chase, but was later apprehended.

LaRoyal Dontarius Fomby, 23, of Pell City, Skyy Jamar Fomby, 25, of Talladega, and Lydell Ramon Garret, 24, of Talladega, were charged with third-degree burglary, criminal conspiracy, first-degree theft and first-degree criminal mischief.

-Amber Thompson

Suicide after trailer torn apart

An apparent domestic dispute ended in a demolished trailer home and a suicide early Sunday morning.

Daniel Lewis, 48, of Ashville, was pronounced dead early Sunday morning after he crashed a front-end loader into a trailer on Clear Creek Lane in Ashville. After making contact with the trailer, Lewis shot himself.

Lewis’ permanent address was listed as the trailer in question, though St. Clair County Chief Investigator Joe Sweatt said it was unclear whether or not he had been living in the residence at the time of the incident.

No one else was injured as a result of the incident.  

-Amber Thompson

Poster advertisement hoax

Local businesses are urged to be cautious when being sold ads for a high school poster.

According to the Pell City Chamber of Commerce, a man is selling ads and collecting money for a supposed high school poster. He is using the basketball coach’s name, but has the first name incorrect.

If approached by anyone other than an official coach or student, the Chamber urges business owners not to help them, and report them to police immediately.