Pair suspected in Opelika Jack's robbery in custody

 Opelika, Al.
Two suspects are in custody and an undisclosed amount of cash and a handgun have been recovered by police after an Opelika restaurant was robbed at gunpoint just after 9 p.m. Monday.

Jeremy Blake James, 17, and Jamarcus Latrell Wilson, 18, both of Opelika, have been charged with first-degree robbery in connection with the robbery at Jack’s in the 1900 block of Pepperell Parkway.

Several employees were inside the business when James allegedly entered the restaurant wearing a ball cap, dark clothing and a rag over his face and, armed with a handgun, demanded money and that the business’ safe be opened.

As an employee was trying to find the code for the business’ safe, James allegedly struck him twice in the head with the handgun before firing at least one shot into a wall of the business and threatening to kill him if he didn’t open the safe, Opelika Police Department Capt. Bruce DeLong said.

After the safe was opened, James grabbed an undisclosed amount of money before fleeing the business on foot, at which time an employee called police.

A responding officer noticed a vehicle, described as a dark-colored SUV near the restaurant and its occupants, later determined to be James and Wilson, behaving suspiciously.

When the officer attempted to stop the vehicle, a short chase ensued that began on First Avenue and ended at the Royal Park Estates mobile home community off North Uniroyal Road, at which time James jumped out of the car and fled on foot, DeLong said.

James was located and taken into custody at 11:55 p.m. Monday by police at an Opelika residence without incident, DeLong said.

Wilson, the driver of the SUV, was taken initially custody and questioned but later released Monday. However, after developing additional leads, detectives were able to determine Wilson was more involved in the robbery than previously thought and obtained an arrest warrant for him, DeLong said.

. Wilson was arrested at approximately 10 a.m. Tuesday at a residence in the 1300 block of Glenn Circle. A handgun believed to have been used in the robbery and a quantity of cash were also recovered inside the vehicle.

The employee struck with the handgun did not require medical attention.

James and Wilson are being held at the Lee County Detention Facility on $100,000 bail each, Lee County Sheriff’s Office Chief Investigator Capt. Van Jackson said.