By NEAL WAGNER / Managing Editor

MONTEVALLO – A 26-year-old Maylene woman is facing up to life in prison after she allegedly robbed the Montevallo Subway restaurant at gunpoint in mid-May, and the Montevallo Police Department is thanking the community for its help identifying the suspect.

On May 12, Montevallo police took to social media to request the public’s help in identifying a suspect who allegedly robbed the restaurant, which is on Main Street in downtown Montevallo.

Photos posted on the department’s Facebook page depicted a woman dressed in black clothing and a black cap flashing a handgun to the restaurant’s cashier after ordering a sandwich.

Through tips from the community, Montevallo Police were able to identify the suspect as Tierra Symone Dent, who lists an address on Meadow Circle in Maylene, and take her into custody on May 25.

Dent is facing a felony charge of first-degree robbery and a misdemeanor charge of fourth-degree theft of property, and was released from the Shelby County Jail on bonds totaling $31,000 on June 3.

According to her arrest warrants, Dent allegedly stole money, food and drink from the restaurant – The total value of which was less than $500 – while she was armed with a handgun.

First-degree robbery is a Class A felony, and is punishable by up to life in prison.

“Tips made to the police department greatly aided in determining the suspect’s identity,” read a Montevallo Police post on its Facebook page. “We appreciate the continuous support and assistance from our citizens to help make our community safer.”

Dent is scheduled to appear in Shelby County District Court on July 7 for a preliminary hearing in front of Judge Daniel Crowson.