It took Demopolis Police just four days to arrest two suspects in the armed robbery of a local retail store, and police didn’t have to look far in their files to find one of the suspects.

Jeffery Shepherd, 18, of Demopolis, and a 16-year-old juvenile have been arrested and charged with first-degree armed robbery in the hold up of Athlete’s Foot on U.S. Highway 80 last Wednesday. The juvenile, whose name has not yet been released, will be charged as an adult, according to District Attorney Greg Griggers.

Shepherd was arrested earlier this year for the armed robbery of Elk Food Mart and was out on a $25,000 bond awaiting a January sentencing when police believe he committed the robbery at Athlete’s Foot.

During the investigation of the latest robbery in Demopolis, police took information from witnesses at the store who said the robbers were wearing ski masks and carrying a small caliber handgun. Apparently, one suspect came in the store and demanded money from the cash register while another suspect stood outside the store and waited.

Shortly after the robbery, police received a tip from a local citizen who found the ski masks and handgun. That evidence led police to Shepherd and the juvenile suspect.

Both suspects have been processed at the Marengo County Detention Facility, and this time, Shepherd’s bond is much higher.

According to Det. Sgt. Tim Soronen, Shepherd now must post a $100,000 bond &045;&045; or come up with $10,000 cash &045;&045; in order to be released from prison. The juvenile is being held under $25,000 bond.

In other words, the juvenile suspect has been booked under a bond that ranks near the top of the suggested scale. As for Shepherd, Soronen and Griggers asked Judge Wade Drinkard that bond be set higher this time, and Drinkard approved.

Griggers, who serves a chief prosecutor for this area, accepted a guilty plea from Shepherd after the Elk’s robbery. However, Griggers said keeping Shepherd detained until sentencing is important to this area.

Griggers does not believe Shepherd will make bond this time, and Soronen said keeping this suspect off the street is good news for Demopolis.

Meanwhile, there is one armed robbery in Demopolis still under investigation, and Soronen said he is still working that case. He would not say if there was any connection between the Athlete’s Foot robbery and the robbery at Dollar General last month, though he did indicate progress has been made.

Along with Soronen, Police Chief Charles Avery &045;&045; who will retire at the end of this week &045;&045; Tech. Tim Williams, Sgt. Tommy Johnson and Ofcs. Rex Flowers and Derrick Carter assisted in the Sunday night arrest of Shepherd and the juvenile suspect.