Birmingham, AL 02/20/2017
A 20-year-old Gardendale man and a 16-year-old Warrior teen have been arrested and charged with three armed robberies that occurred in northern Jefferson County during January and February.
On January 20, 2017, at about 12:30 pm deputies were called to the Mt. Olive Grocery Store in the 3300 block of Mt. Olive Road to investigate a robbery. It was reported that a white male armed with a handgun had entered the store and demanded the money from the cash register. The suspect fled the store in a light-colored 4-door sedan driven by another white male.
Travis Harris
Joshua Vann
Also on January 20, at about 2:45 pm deputies were called to Young’s Grocery in the 9100 block of East Commercial Avenue in Trafford to investigate a second robbery. At this location, it was reported that a white male came into the store and pointed a handgun at a customer and a clerk. He demanded the money from the cash register and then fled on foot. No vehicle was seen.
The final robbery occurred on February 7, 2017, at Swann’s Grocery in the 6600 block of New Castle Road. About 6:20 pm deputies were called about the robbery. It was reported that a white male entered the store and pointed a handgun at the clerk demanding money. After getting the money he fled the store on foot. No vehicle was seen.
In all three robberies, the accounts of the suspect description were similar. The suspect wore a black hoodie with some type of black cloth covering his face.
Detectives investigating the case developed information that all three robberies may have been committed by the same suspect, 20-year-old Travis Harris of Gardendale.
Detectives located Harris at his residence and Gardendale. He was questioned about the robberies and admitted to being responsible for all three. Detectives learned that a second person, 16-year-old Joshua Vann of Warrior, had driven the car and stood as a lookout during the robberies.
Detectives also located and questioned Vann who admitted to his involvement in the crimes.
Travis Harris was arrested and charged with three counts of Robbery 1st Degree. He remains in the Jefferson County Jail with bonds totaling $30,000. 16-year-old Joshua Vann was arrested and charged as an adult with three counts of Robbery 1st Degree. He was released on $30,000 bond pending court proceedings.