In the late hours of Thursday, February 1, 2024, the quiet was shattered when an armed robbery took place at a Circle K convenience store on the 700 block of S. Mckenzie Street in Foley. Responding to the distress call at 11:55 p.m., Foley Police Officers were met by witnesses of a Hispanic male with a handgun, who had forcibly demanded and taken cash from the store's register. 

Following the robbery, the suspect discharged his weapon into the air before fleeing the scene on foot. There were no reported injuries among the victim or witnesses present. Police and K-9 units managed to apprehend the suspect, identified as 44-year-old Eriberto Fernandez of Tampa, Florida, within minutes of the crime. Below are more details from the Foley Police Dept.

On Thursday, February 1, 2024, at approximately 11:55 p.m., Foley Police Officers responded to the Circle K convenience store in the 700 block of S. Mckenzie Street for an armed robbery.

A hispanic male, armed with a handgun, entered the store and walked behind the counter.  He pointed the gun at the cashier and demanded money from the register.  The cashier complied with his demands, and the suspect exited the store with cash.  As the suspect went out of the door, a witness observed him fire his gun into the air and run northbound.  The victim and witnesses at the scene did not sustain any injuries.

Foley Police Officers were on scene within 2 minutes.  A K-9 track was initiated and a perimeter was set.  The officers, with the assistance of the K9, were able to track down and locate the suspect hiding in a field.  He resisted arrest and the K9 assisted in taking him into custody, all within 12 minutes of the original call.  A stolen, black .32 caliber revolver with a spent round and cash were found in his possession.  The suspect sustained minor injuries from the K9 apprehension and was treated and released from the hospital. 

Eriberto Fernandez (Age 44 of Tampa, Florida) was arrested and charged with Robbery in the First Degree and Receiving Stolen Property 2nd Degree (Felonies). The .32 caliber revolver was found to be reported stolen out of Mobile in 1997.  The investigation into the robbery is still ongoing to see if others were involved.  Fernandez has an extensive arrest history of violence spanning over 30 years and multiple states.  We will be working with our federal partners to try and prosecute this case federally as well.