RINGGOLD — Police arrested a Ringgold woman Tuesday in connection with five area robberies, including one in Walker County

Teresa Ann Payne, 47, of 210 Boynton Drive, faces five counts of armed robbery and one count of auto theft, Catoosa County Sheriff Phil Summers said.

Summers said detectives are working with the Walker County Sheriff’s Department and have uncovered evidence that links Payne to an armed robbery at the Kangaroo convenience store at Park City and Schmidt roads in Walker.

The robberies started Dec. 1.

“Quick response of law enforcement and alert witnesses were responsible for Mrs. Payne’s arrest (Tuesday) after she committed robberies at H&R Block and Promise Pediatrics located in (Remco Business Center) in Ringgold,” he said. “ Two people at H&R Block were robbed at gunpoint and moments later the suspect robbed the doctor’s office and fled on a bicycle.”

Summers said Payne never actually had a gun but used a lighter shaped liked a gun. He said the robberies were committed to support the suspect's drug habit.

A witness saw Payne hide the bicycle behind a house at her Boynton Drive home, Summers said. Shortly thereafter, Ringgold police and Catoosa officers arrested Payne.

Summers said Payne is also accused of the Dec. 1 armed robbery of Charter Communications, also in the Remco Business Center, and the Dec. 3 robbery of the Pit Stop at Cloud Springs Road and Interstate 75 in Catoosa County.

According to Johnny Gass, with the Ringgold Police Department, the suspect is accused of stealing a car from a customer at Charter Communications before robbing Charter later that day.

Payne is being held at the Catoosa County Detention Center. No bond has been set.

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