Three In Custody after Outlets Robbery

By WYDaily Staff Wednesday, April 27, 2011

The robbery of a kiosk at the Premium Outlets was a short-lived success, as a victim's phone call and quick work by police led to the quick apprehension of all three suspects.

Around 4 p.m. Sunday three men approached the Ben & Jerry's Lemonade Stand at the Premium Outlets; one grabbed the money bag from the stand's employee and all three fled on foot.

The victim chased the suspects toward Richmond Road while calling 911 on his cell phone, describing the suspects and where they were headed.

James City County police officers set up a perimeter and located all three suspects near the back entrance to Williamsburg Sentara Hospital. The trio was taken into custody after a brief foot chase.

Arrested were: 18-year-old John Michael Cowles, of Merrimac Trail in Williamsburg, who faces a robbery charge; 18-year-old Ashton Lee Vaughn Green, also of Merrimac Trail in Williamsburg, who faces an accessory to robbery charge; and a 16-year-old boy, who was also charged with robbery.

The two adult suspects are being held without bond at the Virginia Peninsula Regional Jail. The juvenile is being held at the Merrimac Juvenile Detention Center.