A LaFayette man, who said he had recently lost his job, robbed a group at an apartment and then tried to rob a nearby convenience store, police say.

According to LaFayette Police Department and Walker County jail reports:

Derrick Pullom, of Cicero Road in LaFayette, is facing burglary and armed robbery charges after he held up four people at an apartment on Cherokee Street on Oct. 22 and then tried to rob the Kangaroo Express on North Main Street.

Pullom has been charged with burglary, five counts of aggravated assault, two counts of armed robbery, two counts of cruelty to children, and possession of a weapon during the commission of a crime, all felonies. He also faces a misdemeanor charge for wearing a mask during a crime.

Pullom went to an apartment on Cherokee Street Saturday evening, Oct. 22, and demanded money from four adults inside. A 5-year-old was also present.

Pullom, , who told one of the robbery victims that he had recently lost his job, had a gun and was wearing a black mask, sweatshirt, blue jeans and tennis shoes. His gun did not look real and he did not point it at them, a witness told police. Pullom left with $240 in cash.

Pullom then went to the nearby Kangaroo Express convenience store on North Main Street.

At the store Pullom, who was not wearing a mask at this point, tried to bargain with the clerk, who knew Pullom. He told her he would share half the money if she would hand it over to him. She refused. The clerk called Pullom’s girlfriend, who came to the store and pleaded with him to leave. The store clerk then called 911.

Pullom was arrested a short time later as he drove into his apartment complex. He had $2 on him.