Columbus, GA woman arrested for robbery in Lee County

Shwanda Kelly/Source: Lee County Sheriff’s Office

Opelika, Ala. (WAKA) – A Columbus, GA woman is now in custody after authorities say she robbed a store in Smiths Station.

Lee County Sheriff Jay Jones tells Action 8 News that around 1:12 p.m. Friday, his officer received a 911 call in response to an armed robbery at the Dollar General on Lee Road 246.

Witnesses said a female suspect showed a silver revolver-type handgun and stole approximately $300 from the register.

She then left the store and ran to some nearby bushes where witnesses observed her changing clothes before running down the street to get into a taxi. The taxi left the area traveling toward Phenix City.

Minutes later, Lee County Sheriff’s Office deputies located the taxi traveling on Lee Rd. 246 near Lee Rd. 226, where they conducted a traffic stop.

U.S. currency and a silver-colored handgun were seen in plain view inside of the vehicle. The discarded clothing in the bushes observed by witnesses at the original scene was also recovered by investigators.

Investigators arrested 44-year-old Shwanda Perri Kelly and an unidentified male was taken in for questioning.

Investigators found that Kelly has six outstanding felony warrants through the Columbus Police Department including: two counts of Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon, two counts of Armed robbery, and two counts of Possession of a Firearm During a Felony.

She is being charged through the Lee County Sheriff’s Office with Robbery in the First Degree and is being held in the Lee County Detention Center with no bond awaiting an Aniah’s Law Hearing. Additional charges are expected.

Anyone with information about this case is asked to contact the Lee County Sheriff’s Office at 334-749-5651 or CrimeStoppers at 334-215-STOP (7867).