Warrant issued in ATM armed robbery

November 5, 2009

Patti Dozier The Times Enterprise Thu Nov 05, 2009, 09:24 PM EST

THOMASVILLE — A warrant was issued Wednesday for the arrest of a Thomasville man in an October armed robbery at a local automatic teller machine (ATM).

Police said the suspect, Derrick Jerod Kemp, 32, of 324 Grady St., should be considered armed and dangerous. His name has been entered in state and national crime alert systems.

Kemp was identified by police in bank surveillance video.

“Officers knew him from past incidents. He’s been locked up before,” said Lt. Eric Hampton, Thomasville Police Department public information officer.

Kemp was identified Wednesday. Officers immediately went to his mother’s house on Grady Street, where he is believed to live. The suspect was not there.

When he is found, Kemp will face charges related to the armed robbery on Oct. 22 at the Bank of America ATM at 14977 U.S. 19 South.

An area firefighter told the Times-Enterprise that he pulled up to the ATM about midnight and withdrew $20. After retrieving the money, the victim saw a man walk around the corner of the building and point a black semi-automatic pistol at him. The man demanded money.

The victim turned over the $20 to the armed bandit, who demanded more money. Two more withdrawals of $200 each were made.

“The whole time I’m sitting there with a gun to my head,” the firefighter said in October.

When the victim saw the robber get into the passenger seat of a white SUV parked on Remington Avenue, he gave chase at speeds of up to 85 miles per hour and notified police.

The identity of the getaway vehicle driver has not been established.

A Crimestoppers reward will be awarded to anyone who provides information leading to the arrest and conviction of Kemp.

Crimestoppers can be reached at 227-3305.