On May 29, 2026, at approximately 1:12pm CDT, the Lee County Sheriff’s Office received a 9-1-1 call in reference to an armed robbery at the Dollar General on Lee Rd. 246 in Smiths Station, Alabama.
Witnesses said a female suspect brandished a silver revolver-type handgun and stole approximately $300 from the register. She then exited the store and ran to some nearby bushes where witnesses observed her changing clothes. She then ran down the street where she got into a taxi, pink and white in color. The taxi left the area travelling toward Phenix City, AL.
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 was 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 Lee County Investigators.
Shwanda Perrie Kelly (44) of Columbus, GA, was taken into custody and a male subject was taken in for questioning.
Investigators found that Kelly has six outstanding felony warrants through the Columbus Police Department including: Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon (two counts), Armed robbery (two counts), and Possession of a Firearm During a Felony (two counts).
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 Central Alabama Crime Stoppers at 334-215-STOP (7867).
