Laurel County, KY - Sheriff John Root is reporting that: Detective Kevin Berry along with Detective Kyle Gray arrested Daniel Cornelius age 19 of London on Thursday, December 15, 2016 at approximately 5 PM.
The arrest occurred off Slate Ridge Road at a residence, near Lily , 8 miles south of London after the Sheriff's office developed information on the whereabouts of the third suspect involved in the staged armed robbery that deputies had responded to on November 30, 2016 at approximately 6:05 AM. at the Marathon Service Station on Adams Road near Ky 770 and I – 75, approximately 10 miles south of London.
Deputies had been told that a lone gunmen armed with a pistol had robbed the female attendant and had locked her in a cooler and fled the scene on foot.
Sheriff's detectives and deputies have determined that the reported robbery was in fact a staged robbery allegedly planned by Christopher Mason and executed by Charlene Jackson/Masters age 30 of Ravenswood Estates, London and another male accomplice identified as Daniel Cornelius age 19 of OWA Lane, Williamsburg.
Charlene Jackson/Masters was charged with Robbery 1st degree on Monday morning December 5, 2016, and lodged in the detention center
The additional arrest of Mason occurred after information was developed that this individual had allegedly planned the staged robbery. Christopher Mason was charged with robbery – first-degree and remains lodged in the Laurel County Detention Center, where he had been lodged on an earlier date on an unrelated investigation.
Mason and Cornelius apparently divided the stolen money, and Mason reportedly spent some of the money to buy clothing, a cap, a watch, food and hotel stays. Christopher Mason age 29 of Level Green Road, Corbin was arrested on Wednesday afternoon December 7, 2016 at approximately 6:15 P.M charged with robbery.
Detectives also charged Christopher Mason on drug charges 12-7-16 related to the discovery of drugs and cash found at the location where he had been arrested earlier by the Sheriff's office. The items located included a clear baggie of a crystal substance determined to be meth, pills, marijuana and a sum of cash. Mason was additionally charged with trafficking in a controlled substance – first-degree – first offense – methamphetamine; trafficking in a controlled substance first-degree first offense schedule 2 drugs; and possession of marijuana.
The arrest of Daniel Cornelius is the 3rd and last arrest of suspects involved in the staged robbery.
Daniel Cornelius (right) was charged with robbery 1st degree, unlawful imprisonment – first-degree; assault – fourth degree -domestic violence; resisting arrest; assault third-degree police officer is the victim; wanton endangerment second-degree; and a Whitley County bench warrant of arrest charging failure to appear in court on charges of assault 4th degree; wanton endangerment – second-degree; and terroristic threatening – third-degree.
This subject was found in a residence off Slate Ridge Road and was found in a back room of the residence by Deputy Daniel Grigsby and his K-9 "Edge" (pictured left).
This subject was combative refusing to comply with deputies, and kicked the K-9 during arrest before being subdued by the K-9.
Detectives and deputies conducted an investigation and learned that this subject had allegedly assaulted his girlfriend (who was staying there) causing a black eye – his girlfriend is currently pregnant and five children were present at the time.
Also arrested at the location where Daniel Cornelius was found was:
Jeffery Gregory 52 of Slate Ridge Rd., London charged with hindering prosecution or apprehension – second-degree – this subject was allegedly hiding out a male subject that was involved in a robbery at a gas station in Corbin – this subject allegedly knew that the Sheriff's office was looking for this male subject and made no attempt to contact law enforcement about his whereabouts.
These two individuals were lodged in the Laurel County Detention Center.
Photos attached are courtesy of the Laurel County Detention Center.
Assisting was: Deputy Daniel Grigsby, and his K-9 "Edge", Detective James Sizemore, Deputy Gary Mehler, Detective Jason back, Sgt. Robbie Grimes, Deputy Rick Cloyd,and Bailiff Taylor McDaniel.
