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Opp couple jailed for robbery
Wife allegedly wields gun at clerk, leaves store empty handed
Published Thursday, November 6, 2008
An Opp man and his allegedly armed wife were arrested Thursday after they attempted to rob the Mr. Henry’s convenience store in Sanford.
Gerry David Kendrick, 37, and Andrea Lynn Kendrick, 26, was arrested by Covington County Sheriff’s Office Investigator Wesley Snodgrass for first-degree robbery when video surveillance footage showed their alleged involvement in the incident.
“Dispatchers at the 911 Center received a call of a robbery that occurred at the Mr. Henry’s on U.S. Hwy. 84 in the Sanford Community,” Snodgrass said. “Sheriff’s deputies and Andalusia Police both responded, as that Mr. Henry’s is located just outside of the Andalusia Police jurisdiction.”
Snodgrass said APD officer Cody Warren was the first officer on the scene, and with the help of additional APD officers, secured the scene until CCSO Sgt. Kevin Wise and Dep. Jason Ballard arrived on scene.
“Law enforcement personnel reviewed the video from the store’s security system were able to identify the suspect vehicle (the two were using),” he said.
Snodgrass said Andrea Kendrick entered the store, stated she had a gun and demanded money from the clerk.
“She approached the counter and said she had a gun,” he said. “She said she had it in the pocket of her shirt. When she demanded money, the clerk refused to comply with her request.”
At that point, she exited the store and left the scene, Snodgrass said.
“A (Be On the Lookout) was given to all local law enforcement agencies for the suspect vehicle, and luckily Opp police officers Van Simmons and Shayne Arnett located the suspect vehicle on Micholas Street in Opp.”
The store clerk was brought to that location where he identified Andrea Kendrick as the person who had attempted to rob the Mr. Henry’s, Snodgrass said.
“And further information was obtained that placed Gerry Kendrick in the vehicle with Andrea during that time,” he said.
Both suspects are charged with robbery in the first degree, a Class A felony punishable by a term of life in prison or not more than 99 years or less than 10 years in prison and a fine of not more than $60,000. Each have a bond of $150,000 and are currently being held in the Covington County Jail.
Snodgrass said even though Gerry Kendrick did not enter the store with his wife, Alabama law states that his act qualifies as complicity in the crime.
“In Alabama, the way it works is that anytime there is a weapon used or someone states they have a weapon- which is what happened in this case, each person involved in the crime is charged with the same level of crime,” he said. “That’s just the way the state does things.”
Comments
Posted by cindylou (anonymous) on November 7, 2008 at 4:28 a.m. (Suggest removal)
thanks to all the departments involved in making a quick arrest of the subjects. this is was true team work with all parties involved. thanks to the city of andalusia council members for abolishing the jurisdiction.
Posted by concerned1 (anonymous) on November 7, 2008 at 5:39 a.m. (Suggest removal)
quick act on arresting these two! People trying commiting a crime in order to obtain money without working! Kudos to your department!!! We need a Police Chief in Florala....anyone interested. we need someone that acts this fast in arresting someone!!!
Posted by bigballer2008 (anonymous) on November 7, 2008 at 8:40 a.m. (Suggest removal)
concerned. ya'll need sonny bedsole
Posted by leo747 (anonymous) on November 7, 2008 at 9:48 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I agree with you 100% bigballer. Sonny is the man for the job. Concerned,talk with your mayor and council and let your voice be heard.
Posted by Ineedtobeheard (anonymous) on November 7, 2008 at 10:50 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I thought Sonny was considered at one time, and I never knew what happened there??? Anyone have a clue? Florala DEFINITELY needs improvement in the office of the Chief of Police as well as the police station as a whole. It has suffered for way too long with these piddling folks....someone needs to step back and take a good look at all the goings ons in that office, for sure!
Posted by cbrown05 (anonymous) on November 7, 2008 at 12:24 p.m. (Suggest removal)
If you like watching "Wildest Police Videos" and other TV shows of that nature. Stay tuned, because I think there is a good chance you just might see these folks on the " World's Dumbest Criminals" episode.
Posted by bamafan1 (anonymous) on November 7, 2008 at 2:24 p.m. (Suggest removal)
The people of Florala say they want a change - as long as it doesn't affect them or their families. That's why Sonny Bedsole hasn't been appointed Chief of police, he doesn't play favorites and doesn't care who your family is. The new mayor and city counsel will be just as narrow minded and self-serving as any counsel in the past. If you really want change in Florala, let your voice be heard and get Sonny in as chief!
Posted by admin23 (anonymous) on November 7, 2008 at 2:28 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Sonny Bedsole as Chief in Florala would bring the Florala Police Department back to a well respected department that Florala citzens deserve. There are some officers in Florala that with the right department head could be much better officers. But without the leadership that is required it will continue to be the way it is.
Posted by Conin1 (anonymous) on November 7, 2008 at 3:17 p.m. (Suggest removal)
If you live in the city limits of Florala and want a professional, well respected, trained police chief, go to your next city council meeting and voice your choice. Sonny Bedsole has over twenty years experience in law enforcement to include a stint as the Chief Deputy of the Covington County Sheriff's Department.
Sonny has a great working relationship with all the other law enforcement agencies in Covington and surrounding counties to include DTF.
Sonny also has many ties to upper level officials in several state agencies. This could help bring needed funding to Florala to improve both the police department and the city as a whole.
Wake up Florala - be heard. Why in the world would you not all be at the next council meeting chanting for the new council to hire him? You will not find a more qualified man for the job that knows the citizens and the area of Florala.
Or, you can all sit back and argue over what is not being done.
Posted by concerned1 (anonymous) on November 7, 2008 at 3:59 p.m. (Suggest removal)
No one is just sitting back and arguing if you are referring to me. I can't make the Mayor or Council do something. They are the ones who decide that. I for one would love to have Sonny Bedsole as Police Chief but you know how the powers that be work here in Florala. We can voice our choice but it is them who make the choice. I think he would be an excellent choice and I would stand behind him 100 %!!!!
Posted by Ineedtobeheard (anonymous) on November 7, 2008 at 5:12 p.m. (Suggest removal)
CBrown....if you are from Florala, or if you aren't....your opinion is full of crap....."World's Dumbest Criminals"...that's not nice AT ALL....We Floralians know it has been way too long since we have had a decent police department. It's not nice to criticize the city because of it's lack of leadership....we have done the best we could with what we have had. I agree that Sonny would be a GREAT improvement, and yes, he does know a lot of people and he has worked in a variety of positions in law enforcement. I grew up with him and his brother and sister...we were a crew and Sonny has surprised a lot of folks...he actually turned out to be SOMEBODY that you can appreciate.....
Posted by concerned1 (anonymous) on November 7, 2008 at 6:12 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I am sure he was referring to the people who robbed the store not us in Florala!!!!
Posted by cbrown05 (anonymous) on November 7, 2008 at 8:29 p.m. (Suggest removal)
To concerned1...YOU GOT IT RIGHT!!! I like you folks in Florala.To ineedtobeheard...perhaps you need to lighten up a little and carefully read between the lines. That is where you will find the interesting stuff.
Posted by hdsd (anonymous) on November 8, 2008 at 8:09 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Sonny is the solution and as currently ,not the problem. He has Professionalism , Expertise, as well he is a peoples person. He will not be one that is playing the game with the community . If you want to clean it up, put him in. If you are wanting to stay part of the problem, leave it as is. But if I was Sonny I would give you one time, and not alow the ping ponging back and forth. This has been going on for awhile now, The current leadership within the deapartment is not the solution it appears. Dont' wait to long or may be to late.
Posted by Ineedtobeheard (anonymous) on November 9, 2008 at 8:56 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Okay, thanks cbrown05.....just was in a tissy over another forum...sorry, didn't mean to offend.
Posted by scoop (anonymous) on November 11, 2008 at 1:59 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I live in Florala and am active in every aspect of this city. We needed a lot of change in Florala and on election day we as citizens united and we took back our city. The police department and the last administration has been a black eye for us for far to long. We have become a joke to the entire state and at one time I was proud to tell folks I was from Florala but for the last for years I have been ashamed to tell people I lived here. I fought the administration of the last four years tooth and nail but when you have somebody who won't listen and only cares about "being mayor" instead of performing as mayor there is nothing the average Joe can do. Yes, during the last administration Sonny was considered for the job but our "mayor" owed Mark Anderson and therefore there was no chance in Mark going anywhere. I think all the officers have done the best they could not knowing from one day to the other if they would have a job. You can't expect to hire quality officers if you can't offer them job security, insurance and retirement so most of the times it seems like we get everybody else's throw aways and have to be content with what we get. From what I have seen so far the new council and mayor are trying to get things in order and make things better for us all. They are searching for a new chief and a new city clerk but it is going to take time to straighten out what has happened the last four years. At times we have to worry whether we'll have money to even met payroll meaning our employees have to worry whether they are going to get paid each week. I couldn't live like that because I have two kids to take care of. I wonder sometimes if our last mayor has any regrets about what he did to our city. To make matters worse, I was told yesterday that in four years he plans to make another run for mayor. Folks in Florala who never cared about the political process before that have realized if we, the people, don't get involved and don't hold our leaders accountable then we are to blame for what has happened to our city. Pray our city, leaders, and our residents. WE NEED IT!
Posted by Conin1 (anonymous) on November 12, 2008 at 4:05 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Very well said "scoop". I hope you continue to voice your opinion in Florala. That is your right. When you elect those council members and mayor, one is not to just sit back and let them do what they want for 4 years. Hold them accountable for their actions and votes. Go to meetings and be heard there.
I do not live in Florala but I have ties to the area. I wish Florala the best and hope this council and mayor can get things going in the right direction - starting with Sonny Bedsole.
Posted by Andrea (anonymous) on July 24, 2009 at 5:21 p.m. (Suggest removal)
This is Andrea Kendrick...I am at the Lovelady Center now, a rehab center in Birmingham, Al. It has been 8 months since me and my husband attempted to rob the Mr. Henrys...I just wanted to post this comment in hopes that someone might read it. I know how stupid it was to commit this crime. We would never hurt anyone. We are good people. We have completely turned our life around and devoted our lives to the Lord. Since I've been at the Lovelady. Me and my husband both were so addicted to drugs we allowed our addiction to consume us to the point of stealing and doing unimaginable things to supply our habit. We were so lost we didn't know what to do. We are both in Birmingham now doing great, thanks to God and all the people who prayed for us so many years. Not thanks to the people who had such awful things to say about us. Some people just need help and feel like they have no where to turn when they're addicted to drugs. Instead of making snooty and rude comments about someone on drugs..think about what they've been through and just pray for them. Try to help before you judge. Only HE can judge me. I've never been happier. The Lovelady led me to become saved which led me to God which led me to learn and know that I AM SOMEBODY! Praise God me and my husband are now the people God intended us to be.
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