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One man charged in aborted robbery: Two sought in plot to rob the Blind ParrotDec 03, 2008 (Messenger-Inquirer - McClatchy-Tribune Information Services via COMTEX) -- Owensboro police are looking for two men they say tried to rob the Blind Parrot on Frederica Street early Saturday morning, and a former DJ at the bar and restaurant has been charged in connection with the incident. The former DJ, Phillip M. Coleman Jr., 27, of the 700 block of Princeton Parkway, was charged Monday with conspiracy to commit robbery. Two men wearing ski masks and armed with handguns came into the restaurant through the back door Saturday morning, according to OPD reports. Police said the plan fell through, however, when employees found the two masked men hiding in a stockroom. The two men then fled the scene. Police reports said that security camera footage showed Coleman letting the two men in the back door. OPD arrested him two days later. "It's still frequent enough that we get inside jobs," OPD Sgt. Chris Castlen said. Coleman told police that he and another person met Nov. 26 and formulated the plan, according to the arrest report. The plan was to rob the owner after he came to his office upstairs after closing and split the money afterward, the report said. Castlen said the case is still under investigation. "With something like this, there are other leads involved," Castlen said. "It all depends on the cooperation of the business. ... They can give you information that's important that they may not even know is important. After the event, when you start putting things together, it seems more relevant to the case." Castlen said the security footage provided the break investigators needed. "Apparently they weren't aware of everything," Castlen said, referring to the cameras. "It (technology) can make it so much easier." The two suspects who fled the scene were black men wearing dark clothing. One was described as being about 6 feet to 6 feet 2 inches tall with a stocky build and weighing about 175 pounds. The second was described as being between 5 feet 9 inches and 5 feet 11 inches tall and weighing about 230 pounds. OPD is encouraging anyone with information to contact them at 687-8888 or through Crime Stoppers at 687-8484. Tips left through Crime Stoppers can be made anonymously, and tips that lead to arrests can result in a cash reward. To see more of the Messenger-Inquirer, or to subscribe to the newspaper, go to http://www.messenger-inquirer.com. Copyright (c) 2008, Messenger-Inquirer, Owensboro, Ky. Distributed by McClatchy-Tribune Information Services. For reprints, email [email protected], call 800-374-7985 or 847-635-6550, send a fax to 847-635-6968, or write to The Permissions Group Inc., 1247 Milwaukee Ave., Suite 303, Glenview, IL 60025, USA. |