Family Dollar Robbery Suspect Arrested After Police Chase

BIRMINGHAM, AL — A robbery at a Family Dollar store in Ensley Sunday resulted in the arrest of a 33-year-old Birmingham man. Police arrested Gilbert Coates after a short pursuit and charged him with robbery.

Police say Coates entered the business and demanded cash from the sales associate while displaying a firearm. He then fled the location.

Officer Truman Fitzgerald of the Birmingham Police Department said police pursued Coates in a car chase that ended when Coates' car crashed near 31st street North at 12th Avenue North, after which Coates ran from the vehicle and led police on a foot chase.

Coates was taken into custody on I-59 North near the 31st Street North on-ramp. He is being held at Jefferson County Jail on $50,000 bond.