Alabama Postal Robbery

Two men rob a small-town post office and take the postmaster hostage.

Police sketch of a caucasian male with a beanie on

Suspect #1

Suspect #1:

Gender:Male
DOB: Approx. 1968
Height: 5’5”
Weight:130 lbs.
Eyes: Green
Hair:Brown

Police sketch of an african american male with long hair and heavy sideburns

Suspect #2

Suspect #2:Gender:Male
DOB: Approx 1958
Height: 6”
Hair: Black
Defining Characteristics: Long, greasy hair and heavy sideburns

CASE DETAILS

Suspect aiming shotgun at Opal Johnson at the post office

Opal Johnson was held at gunpoint

On October 30, 1987, around 11 A.M., two men, one black, the other white, entered the post office in the little town of Epes, Alabama. They asked for stamps, then declared it was a robbery. Postmaster Opal Johnson was working that day:

“The black male jumped on the counter and immediately began to give orders. He seemed to be very familiar with the operation of a postal service. The black male gave all the orders. He told the white male what to do, and he did it. I never took money to work with me. I had a dollar and 38 cents.”

Suspect taking cash out of the post office cash register

They took $700 in cash and stamps

When Opal had no money for the men, they decided to take her hostage. The thieves made off with about $700 in cash and stamps. One forced Opal into her car and followed his partner out into the country. For Opal, is was the most frightening ten minutes of her life:

“He put his gun across his lap. He was extremely nervous with his finger still on the trigger. It was poking me in the side.”

Suspect forcing opal into the trunk of a car

Opal was forced into the trunk of a car

Finally, they pulled into a remote clearing near Goggan’s Lake, three miles from town. The gunman forced Opal out of the car and into the trunk of her car:

“He said, ‘Give me your rings. I like those rings.’  As I was taking my rings off, I looked at him and his eyes looked as if he hated the world. I was sure the men were going to kill me.  I thought, ‘They’re going to drive my car off into the lake.’ Then they got in their car and they left. When I could not hear them anymore, I began to feel around in the car and found a tire tool.  I took it and began to work on the lock until it broke enough to pop the trunk. And I came out of that trunk running.”

Opal climbing out of the trunk of the car

She managed to escape

Within an hour, Opal had provided police with a detailed description of the two men. Police believe the white suspect was not from the South and the other may have been from the area.

Watch this case now on Amazon Prime in season eight with Robert Stack and in season seven with Dennis Farina. Also available on YouTube with Dennis Farina. Various seasons available now on Hulu.

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21 Comments

  1. Anonymous

    I might have some information on the black gentleman. His name (I think) is Terrence/Terence. I do not have a last name … he lives in Pontiac or Waterford Michigan.

    Reply

  2. Stranger

    Suspect #1 could be related to a George Frederick Crozier aka Quint in NOLA.

    Reply

  3. Stranger

    This person could be related to a George Frederick Crozier aka Quint in NOLA.

    Reply

  4. Tara

    Any updates on this case?

    Reply

  5. Jo jo dancer

    A white playing a black man why?

    Reply

  6. Rox

    Wait, how do they figure that one suspect was 10 years older than the other?

    Reply

  7. Aenon

    Sadly Opal passed away in 2010 https://www.legacy.com/obituaries/tuscaloosa/obituary.aspx?n=opal-marie-mcbride&pid=140330321

    Reply

  8. Chanita

    What In The World?!

    Reply

  9. Unknown

    What The Heck Is That? That’s Crazy If That Was Me I Would Have Given Them The Money It’s Not Worth It!

    Reply

  10. Unsolvedboy

    I hear that the black male was thinking about killing opal but the white male convinced him to spare her if I recall opal said she heard the two men arguing while she was in the trunk

    Reply

  11. Eric

    I get gas station attendant

    Reply

  12. Monica

    I just saw this episode and had to look it up. Why was a white boy playing suspect #2 yet the horrific drawing of suspect 2 looks black? You’re right, poor Opal

    Reply

  13. Anonymous

    I’m pretty sure I know suspect #2. Who do I contact??

    Reply

  14. Alice Winterson

    Those are some pretty good drawings.
    Poor Opal…

    Reply

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