Alabama Pastor Arrested for Alleged Armed Robbery During Sidewalk Altercation

A 72-year-old local pastor is facing serious charges after authorities say he robbed a man at gunpoint and struck him with a firearm during a heated dispute on a public sidewalk.

Roy Powell, longtime pastor of Cedar Street Missionary Baptist Church in Saraland, was arrested and charged with first-degree robbery following the incident, which took place near a Mobile post office.

Powell, who has led the congregation for more than three decades, was released from jail a day after his arrest. He has not responded to multiple requests for comment on the case.

According to the alleged victim, the confrontation began as a routine walk to the post office. The man claims Powell confronted him, accusing him of obstructing the sidewalk. The exchange escalated into a verbal argument, after which Powell reportedly left the scene only to return minutes later in his truck—this time armed.

“He said, ‘You was in my way, I’m walking down the sidewalk,’ and we had words back and forth,” the victim told local station WLBT. The man alleges that Powell exited the truck, brandished a handgun, and struck him on the head with the weapon before taking his book bag.

Court documents indicate that Powell later returned to the scene to apologise to the victim, who was unaware of Powell’s status as a local pastor until after the fact. “So, when I heard that, I was like ‘wow.’ I don’t know what to say. Just wow,” the victim said.

The case remains under investigation by Mobile authorities as the community awaits further details. Powell’s congregation and local residents have expressed surprise over the charges against the well-known pastor, as the legal process moves forward.