Two Suspects Arrested in Lee County Gas Station Robbery

Surveillance footage and casino records helped authorities track down the alleged perpetrators.

Apr. 3, 2026 at 5:54pm

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An extreme close-up of a crumpled, torn dollar bill against a pitch-black background, lit by a harsh, direct camera flash, conceptually representing the physical evidence and gritty investigation of an armed robbery.Surveillance footage and cross-agency collaboration help solve a brazen gas station robbery in rural Alabama.Montgomery Today

The Lee County Sheriff's Office has arrested two individuals, Waltnay Jamal Whitfield of Savannah, Georgia, and Zachary Logan Fox of Nashville, Tennessee, in connection with an armed robbery at a Marathon gas station in Smiths Station, Alabama. The suspects, who were identified through surveillance footage and casino records, are being held without bond in the Lee County Detention Center.

Why it matters

This arrest highlights the importance of surveillance technology and cross-agency collaboration in solving crimes, particularly in rural areas where resources can be limited. The case also underscores the ongoing challenge of preventing and responding to armed robberies targeting small businesses.

The details

On February 7, deputies were called to the Marathon gas station in Smiths Station after two suspects, one armed with a knife and the other with a handgun, confronted the clerk and demanded money. Surveillance footage showed the suspects fleeing the scene. Investigators traced the suspects' getaway vehicle to a rental car company in Savannah, Georgia, and also spotted the same vehicle at a casino in Montgomery hours before the robbery. With the help of the U.S. Marshal Service and other law enforcement agencies, the sheriff's office was able to identify and apprehend the two suspects, Whitfield and Fox, in Georgia.

  • The robbery occurred around 10:40 PM on February 7.
  • Whitfield was arrested by the U.S. Marshal Service in Savannah, Georgia, on March 24.
  • Fox was arrested at an Atlanta, Georgia, bus station on March 26.

The players

Waltnay Jamal Whitfield

A 32-year-old resident of Savannah, Georgia, who was listed on the rental agreement for the vehicle believed to be connected to the robbery.

Zachary Logan Fox

A 35-year-old resident of Nashville, Tennessee, who was identified as the second suspect in the robbery.

Lee County Sheriff's Office

The law enforcement agency that investigated the gas station robbery and made the arrests.

U.S. Marshal Service

The federal law enforcement agency that assisted in the arrest of one of the suspects, Waltnay Jamal Whitfield, in Savannah, Georgia.

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What they’re saying

“This arrest highlights the importance of surveillance technology and cross-agency collaboration in solving crimes, particularly in rural areas where resources can be limited.”

— Lee County Sheriff's Office

What’s next

The suspects are being held without bond in the Lee County Detention Center and will face an Aniah's Law hearing, which will determine if they can be released on bail.

The takeaway

This case demonstrates the effectiveness of using surveillance footage, casino records, and multi-agency cooperation to track down and apprehend suspects in a violent armed robbery. It also underscores the ongoing challenges faced by small businesses in rural areas when it comes to preventing and responding to such crimes.