By By MARY-ALLISON LANCASTER – Managing editor
Three individuals were arrested Friday night after robbing a local gas station with a firearm.
Leon &#8220Lee” Howard Thomas, 25, Brian Edward Hobbs, 26, and Rhoda M. Emmons, 23, were charged with robbery, first degree, which is a Class-A felony.
According to a report filed with the Brewton Police Department, Emmons dropped off Thomas and Hobbs at Spudds BP, located at 602 Hwy. 31. The two men entered the store with a sawed-off shotgun and demanded the money in the register from the clerk on duty. The two men later fled on foot and were picked up by Emmons in the Alco area.
According to Brewton Police Chief Monte McGougin, officers responded to a tip identifying a particular suspect, which was later identified as Thomas.
When Thomas was located, officers searched the vehicle and recovered two ski masks and cash underneath the passenger seat. Officers did not find the weapon seen on the surveillance tape. Thomas, along with the other individuals were brought in for confession where all three confessed to the robbery.
McGougin said that Emmons had her toddler in the car during the robbery. The Department of Human Resources has been contacted for arrangement, but no further details were available Tuesday afternoon.
According to McGougin, all three are still being held in the Escambia County Detention Center. Bond for each individual has been set at $20,000.