By NEAL WAGNER / City Editor

The Shelby County Sheriff’s Office is searching for a white male suspected of escaping from a state work release program and robbing two area convenience stores, and is encouraging local residents to be on the lookout for the man.

At about 7:40 a.m. on July 21, an adult white male robbed a convenience store in Shelby, located in southern Shelby County, according to a press release from the sheriff’s office. No one was injured and the suspect left with an unknown amount of money.

Shelby County Sheriff’s deputies responded to the call and learned that the suspect left the area in a tan four-door sedan.  Sheriff’s deputies and police officers from surrounding jurisdictions began looking for the suspect in the car.

At about 12:30 p.m. on July 21, Calera police officers spotted a car matching the description of the robbery getaway vehicle and attempted to stop it. The driver of the vehicle refused to stop and a pursuit ensued.

The vehicle eluded officers and deputies in the Summerhill area of Shelby County. Deputies and police officers from several local police departments have been searching for the vehicle and suspect in the area.

They are being assisted by the Hoover Police Department’s helicopter. It is not known if the suspect was able to flee the area completely or if he is on foot in the area, according to the press release. As of about 5 p.m. on July 21, the vehicle had not been located.

Since the robbery in Shelby, the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office learned the same suspect robbed another convenience store on the night of July 20 in Jemison, according to the Sheriff’s Office.

The suspect in both robberies was wearing a Chilton County High School football shirt and shorts and left in cars matching the same description. A 2000 model Chevrolet Malibu was reported stolen in Clanton early on July 21, and it matches the getaway vehicle in both robberies in style and color. The Alabama tag on the stolen car is 14A78M1.

Sheriff’s investigators have also learned that Shannon Loyd Crumpton, 36, of Columbiana, escaped from the Red Eagle Work Release program in Montgomery sometime on July 20. He is wanted on a felony charge of escape. According to authorities, Crumpton matches the description of the suspect in both robberies. He is considered armed and dangerous, according to the press release.

Residents in the Summerhill and surrounding communities are encouraged to use caution and be aware of anything unusual around their homes until the area has been thoroughly searched. Residents should make sure their vehicles and homes are locked, and should report anything suspicious to 911 immediately.

Anyone with information about the case is urged to contact the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office directly at 669-4181, through the Secret Witness line at 669-9116 or through Shelbyso.com by clicking on the “Report Criminal Activity” link and choosing the “General Information” category.