Albany robbery suspect surrenders to police

ALBANY — The gunman who police say escaped capture after the robbery of a south Albany food market Tuesday turned himself in to Albany police on Wednesday and remains in the Dougherty County Jail.

Michael Cullen, 32, is charged with armed robbery and simple battery in connection with the late night holdup of Westside Grocery, 2314 W. Gordon Ave., where police say he and Dorian James Richards struck a clerk and shot her with pepper spray.

The clerk, Aladoui Sabrina Ala, told police she recognized the bandits even though they both wore masks, because they often came into the store, and that she called them by their nicknames — “Big Mike” for Cullen and “D-Nasty for Richards.

Officials say that during the robbery, an employee of the store called 911 and officers arrived with handguns drawn, apprehending Richards. The second gunmen, who police say was Cullen, managed to escape.

Following the incident, the clerk was treated at the scene by Dougherty County EMS, with no other injuries were reported, police officials say.

Richards is charged with armed robbery and five counts of aggravated assault in the incident, jail officials say. Both suspects have been denied bond.