COLUMBIANA – Two Montgomery men were recently taken into custody after a robbery took place in a parking lot of the South Promenade in Alabaster on Tuesday, Feb. 13.

Leecarto Jacquez Seawright, 18, who lists an address on North Sutherland Drive, and Ladarius Tyshun McDade, 17, who lists an address on Smith Road, were each charged with robbery in the first degree and receiving stolen property in the first degree. Seawright was also charged with attempted theft of property in the first degree. The Alabaster Police Department stated that McDade will be charged as an adult in this case.

According to a press release from the APD, the two men approached an unnamed female victim as she was unloading packages and asked for her car keys. One of the men allegedly brandished a firearm before they stole the victim’s cell phone and left the scene.

According to court documents, Seawright and McDade engaged in a high speed chase on Interstate 65 after they were spotted by an officer from the Pelham Police Department. The suspects allegedly left the interstate by traveling the wrong way on an entrance ramp and drove to downtown Calera.

While in the downtown area, the suspects almost struck two pedestrians and came into a head-on collision with another vehicle while traveling on the wrong side of the highway. Calera Police Chief Sean Lemley said the collision knocked the second vehicle off road and into the storefront of a local business. The driver of the vehicle was transported to a nearby hospital as part of procedure, but did not sustain any serious injuries.

Seawright allegedly tried to escape by entering another vehicle, but was unsuccessful. Both suspects were apprehended after a brief chase on foot.

After their arrest, authorities discovered that the gun used in the robbery was stolen property.

Seawright and McDade were arrested in Calera, and are both currently being held at the Shelby County Jail on bonds totaling $450,000 each. Lemley said authorities are currently pursuing additional charges against the suspects.

“They’ll likely have charges from all three cities,” Lemley said.

“Detectives were notified immediately, an investigation ensued and the arrest of the suspects are the result of that investigation,” APD Lt. Grant Humphries said. “We are very thankful the victim was not injured during the course of the robbery.”

The APD expressed its gratitude to the Calera and Pelham police departments, as well as the Metro Area Crime Center, for their assistance in apprehending the two suspects.