Suspect in grocery store robbery, held under $20K bond

BY VICTOR INGE

THE SELMA TIMES-JOURNAL

A Selma man was arrested and charged with robbery after the Friday morning heist of Goodman’s Grocery &045; with a pellet pistol. In her 23 years in business it was Betty Goodman’s second time being robbed.

Kenny Church 22, entered the 2501 Alabama Ave. store just before 11 a.m. Goodman said he shopped around, looking for a sandwich. A shopper came in a bought a copy of The Selma Times-Journal and Church backed away. When the shopper left with his newspaper Church approached the counter with his sandwich, Goodman said. She rang him up and his total came to $3.03.

Goodman said he came around the counter and the situation changed.

The man fled on foot with money she had in the register to pay for the store’s ice, which was &8220;about $60.&8221; Church was captured on the store’s video surveillance system, but police captured the suspect several blocks away on Vine St. and brought him back to the store where Goodman identified him.

SPD Lt. Susan Smith was in the area and spotted Church, who fit the description given by dispatchers. Police said the gun turned out to be &8220;a pellet gun,&8221; but said Church’s action won’t be excused because of that.

Church was charged with robbery first degree and jailed on $20,000 bond, authorities said. Police said they had not done a criminal background check on Church, but will be as part of the investigation.