DEMOPOLIS – Angel wings weren’t the only things to take flight from the art gallery on Walnut Avenue Thursday.

Police responded to a robbery at the art gallery and gift shop after owner Karen Davidson reported she had sent two would-be robbers fleeing.

Police captured a man and woman suspected of attempting to rob the store at the intersection of East Jefferson and South Chestnut shortly after 3 p.m.

In custody and charged with first degree robbery are Emaline Pierce, 59, and Keith Johnson, 20, both of Demopolis. Both were transported to the Marengo County Jail and a bond hearing is expected some time today.

Davidson, who said she known at least one of the suspects, was alone in the front of the gallery when the pair entered the store and asked to use her telephone.

While Pierce was on the phone, Davidson said she passed her a note that read “this is a robbery.”

“I thought it was a joke because she’s been in here several times and bought things, so I didn’t think anything about it,” she said.

“At that point, the guy with her said that she had a gun and it was not a joke,” Davidson said.

Realizing a bad situation, Davidson said she grabbed the phone from Pierce and screamed for them to leave the store.

“After that, they calmly turned around and left,” she said.

Police took both suspects back to the store for identification by Davidson, who confirmed their identity.

According to police, a gun was not found on either of the suspects at the time they were apprehended.

“We’re glad it worked out as quickly and safely as it did,”

Public Safety Director Jeff Manuel said.