Santa’s Village Robbery Arrests

Published on December 29, 2017

On December 22, 2017, at approximately 9:20 p.m., Early Works Museum workers were leaving for the evening from operating Santa’s Village in Downtown Huntsville. Several employees and a security guard were exiting the building when two male suspects approached the employee that had the night’s cash deposits. One male was armed with what appeared to be a handgun and the other male had OC spray. The security guard was OC sprayed in the face. The other male suspect demanded money from the employees. Both suspects then fled the area on foot. Patrol Officers responded and K9 Units responded but were unable to locate the offenders. Investigator Greg Hayden with the Violent Crimes Investigative Squad in CID became the lead Investigator on the case. It was later determined through further investigation that there were four suspects involved in the carrying out of this crime. Three have been arrested and charged and the fourth is being sought at this time.

On December 28 , Investigator Hayden followed up on leads that led him to the first suspect to be identified as Russell Houseman of Athens, Al. The Houseman Suspect was taken into custody in Athens by Inv. Hayden and Athens P.D. Investigators. He was subsequently charged and brought back to Huntsville. Upon further Investigation, suspect Zachary Wayne Phillips of Athens was also located, charged and arrested. A third suspect Michael Coughlin was also charged. All suspects were charged with Robbery 1 ^st . A fourth suspect Ralph Evans Lemay is currently being sought. Photos of Lemay and Coughlin are not available at this time. If you have any information on the whereabouts of suspect Lemay, please call Huntsville Police at (256) 722-7100.