NATCHEZ — Natchez police responded to a robbery report at the Exxon on Liberty Road late Monday night and had a suspect in custody in fewer than 15 minutes. “I could not be more proud of the police officers and investigators,” Natchez Police Chief Walter Armstrong said. “They did an outstanding job.”

Witnesses told officers Saint Sontoyo Washington, 19, 393 Terry Circle, Vidalia, walked to the cashier’s station in the Exxon with several items and a $5 bill in hand but, instead of paying for the items, he reached into the register, took a handful of money and ran, Armstrong said.

Officers responded to the robbery call and within minutes had a K-9 officer on scene, he said.

The K-9 officer tracked the alleged robber to a nearby bus transit station, where officers said they found Washington.

“After a brief foot chase, he was taken into custody without incident,” Armstrong said. “The officers retrieved all the money taken from the store; the clerk was amazed.”

Armstrong would not say how much money was taken from the register.

Officers arrested Washington on a charge of simple robbery, and he was still in the Adams County Jail on Tuesday afternoon with no bond yet set.

Armstrong said he was especially proud of officers — Lt. Julius Steele, Sgt. Jerry Ford, K-9 Officer Brian Seyfarth and officers Vince Bates, John Finley and Charlie Gross — because Monday their shift had been an especially busy night.

“In the midst of an extremely busy shift, they performed outstandingly,” Armstrong said. “This is exactly how any law enforcement agency would want every case to play out, though it does not always happen that way. Everybody went home safe.”