Hotel armed robbery suspects arrested

Published 9:17 am Friday, April 1, 2016

A Birmingham couple is now in custody after confessing to the Wednesday armed robbery of the Baymont Inn.

DeAnthony Covan, 20, and Jacqueline Finn, 18, were both charged with robbery, first degree.

DeAnthony Covan

DeAnthony Covan

According to authorities, Covan allegedly entered the lobby of the Baymont Inn with his face covered by a black scarf, armed with a handgun and demanded money from the clerk.

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“He was able to take what was in the cash drawer and ran out of the business with it,” said Capt. Justin Lovvorn, commander of the Greenville Police Department’s Criminal Investigations Division. “The clerk immediately called 911 and notified them of what had happened. Officers responded to the call within seconds of being dispatched. They set up a perimeter and attempted to locate any suspects in the area. They were not able to locate anyone at that time.”

Jacqueline Finn

Jacqueline Finn

Authorities issued an all point bulletin for the suspects. Within an hour, a hotel manager in Evergreen notified police that the suspects were staying in his hotel. Officers with the Evergreen Police Department responded to the hotel, but the suspects had already left the area.

“I responded to the Evergreen hotel and collected more evidence at that location to link the suspect to the robbery in Greenville,” Lovvorn said. “I was also able to locate a tag number and vehicle description for the suspects’ vehicle by interviewing witnesses around the Evergreen hotel.”

The vehicle was later located at a hotel in Brewton.

Lovvorn responded to Brewton and worked with the Brewton Police Department’s Special Response Team and patrol officers to safely clear civilians from the hotel rooms surrounding the suspects’ room.

After clearing the hotel, police contacted the suspects in their room and ordered them to come out.  They were taken into custody and transported to the Brewton Police Department.

After searching the suspects’ belongings and vehicle, police found the gun used in the robbery.

“Closer examination of the gun revealed that it was a BB/pellet pistol that was made to look real,” Lovvorn said.

Most of the money from the robbery was also found with the suspects’ belongings.

Lovvorn said when confronted with the evidence, both suspects gave a full confession. Both are now being held in the Butler County Correctional Facility.

“I’d like to thank the Brewton Police Department, as well as the Evergreen Police Department, for going above and beyond to help our department with this case and assisting our investigator while in their jurisdiction,” said Chief Lonzo Ingram. “It is a wonderful example of law enforcement working together for the greater good of the public and their safety.  Because of this combined effort, a dangerous criminal was able to be taken off the streets without any further incident.”