The Winn-Dixie in Madison became the scene of an armed robbery Sunday, Jan. 17, around 10 p.m.
According to authorities, Deputy McMullen of the Madison County Sheriff’s Office observed a man walking towards Court Yard Apartments while crossing the Winn-Dixie parking lot. The man was presenting himself suspiciously and carrying a large black bag. Deputy McMullen made an attempt to contact the man and noticed a firearm in the suspect’s hand. The suspect responded to Deputy McMullen’s attempts at contacting him by fleeing into a vehicle and from there he attempted to flee via automobile.
Deputy McMullen relayed the information through radio and requested for officer back up.
McMullan gave pursuit to the fleeing suspect as they headed east on U.S. 90 and Corporal O’Brian immediately responded and assisted Deputy McMullen with the pursuit.
At the same time, the Madison 911 Center was alerted to an armed robbery that had just taken place in Winn-Dixie. The caller gave a description that matched the individual that Deputy McMullen had seen crossing the parking lot and was now in pursuit of.
As the vehicle being driven by one of the two suspects entered the intersection for U.S. 90 and Marion St., the fleeing suspects fired gunshots at the pursuing officers.
Both Deputy McMullen and Corporal O’Brian responded by returning fire with the assailants while remaining in pursuit.
The chase continued as the suspects turned onto State Road 53 North and began clocking at speeds in the excess of 90 miles per hour all while gun fire was still being exchanged between fleeing suspects and pursuing officers.
Deputy McMullen’s patrol unit sustained damage consistent with being struck by one or more rounds from the assailants’ firearm.
It was brought to an erupt end when Corporal O’Brian used his patrol unit for a tactical maneuver, forcing the assailants off the roadway and causing them to lose control, striking an electric power pole.
Corporal O’Brian, immediately deployed canine Onyx as the passenger attempted to flee on foot. Canine Onyx apprehended the suspect and he was taken into custody by Corporal O’Brian. Deputy McMullen immediately took the driver into custody.
Both subjects were transported to the Madison County Jail without further incident.
Investigation discovered that, aside from Deputy McMullen’s damaged patrol unit, several rounds from the officers’ firearms had in fact entered the assailants’ vehicle but neither suspect was hit.
It was also discovered that the driver of the get-away vehicle was Deanthony Roundtree, 41, of Valdosta, Ga. and the manager of robbed Winn-Dixie.
His passenger was identified as Randal Durrah, 44, also of Valdosta, Ga.
Investigators collected, as evidence, a large amount of U.S. currency that was wrongly gained from the robbery at Winn-Dixie as well as two firearms and multiple rounds of ammunition.
Between the two of them, there are charges being faced of attempting to murder a law enforcement officer, use/carry/possession of a firearm during commission of a felony, fleeing to elude police, armed robbery and grand theft.