Robbery suspect charged with attempted murder

A man wanted in several robberies has been captured in Tuscaloosa and now faces multiple charges, including attempted murder.

Demardus Antinio Tarver is charged in the Oct. 21 robbery of a Family Variety store on Crescent Ridge Road, the Nov. 14 robbery of a Fast Stop on Fosters Ferry Road and the Nov. 14 robbery of a Raceway on Veterans Memorial Parkway.

Police say Tarver fired a shot at the clerk in the Fast Stop robbery. He has been charged with attempted murder in that incident.

Officers caught up with Tarver around 4:35 a.m. Nov. 15, a few hours after he allegedly robbed a Fast Stop and Raceway. Police had a vehicle description from the Raceway robbery, which happened around 11 p.m. Nov. 14.

Tuscaloosa officers tried to pull over Tarver's vehicle since it matched the robbery suspect's vehicle description, but Tarver did not stop and a short pursuit ensued. The chase ended when Tarver crashed on Highpoint Drive. No other vehicles were involved in the wreck, and police took Tarver into custody for questioning.

After interviewing Tarver, investigators found probable cause to arrest him on three counts of first degree robbery and possession of an altered firearm. Authorities obtained an attempted murder warrant against Tarver on Nov. 16.

More charges against Tarver are pending, Tuscaloosa Police Sgt. Brent Blankley said. He is being held on a $255,000 bond in the Tuscaloosa County Jail.

Copyright 2012 WBRC. All rights reserved.