Springhill man charged in robbery, shooting

A Springhill man is facing robbery and attempted murder charges after firing a shot at the owner of a Cullen business he intended to rob, police say.

Springhill Chief of Police Will Lynd said 39-year-old Bernell Rayshon Lewis was arrested in Springhill when a patrol sergeant spotted and stopped a vehicle answering the description of one reportedly driven by the shooting suspect.

Lynd said Cullen Chief of Police Mary Hoof reported the incident at Chick’s Drive Inn and asked for assistance in investigating leads. Investigators soon learned a strange vehicle had been parked in the driveway of an apartment complex near the scene of the robbery.

“Not long after we learned the description of the vehicle, SPD Sergeant Donnie Coleman stopped the vehicle on Main Street in Springhill,” Lynd said. “The suspect was taken to our headquarters and after questioning, evidence showed he was involved in the shooting.”

Lynd said Cullen police reported two suspects entered the business late Thursday and went around a counter to the area where a safe was located.

“They were not able to get into the safe and they did not get any money,” Lynd said. “The suspect fired a shot at the owner, who was not injured. The individuals then left the business on foot.”

Lynd said Lewis is charged with armed robbery and attempted first-degree murder. He is currently being held at Bayou Dorcheat Correctional Center.

“This arrest was the result of a joint investigation by the Springhill and Cullen police departments,” Lynd said. “We are two small cities that became one town because we’re neighbors. That’s what good neighbors do, assist one another when there is a problem.”