Driver in Corbin Kroger robbery arrested Monday

The getaway driver in a robbery at the north Corbin Kroger store last Thursday has been arrested, and police say the man who actually carried out the crime could be in custody soon.
Frank Brian Simpson, 33, of Corbin, surrendered to Corbin Police Monday afternoon for his part in the crime. Corbin Police Capt. Tim Helton, who is investigating the case, said Simpson realized it was inevitable authorities would solidify his role in the robbery.
Helton spoke with Simpson about the crime last week and said, upon arriving at his residence at Corbin Manor Apartments, he noticed a vehicle that exactly matched the description of the one used in the crime.
“After he was interviewed the first time, he came to the police department to speak to me because he knew once his vehicle was identified it would only be a matter of time before I returned,” Helton said. “He wanted to come forward and do the right thing.”
At about 5:40 p.m. last Thursday, a loss prevention officer with Kroger confronted a man who had apparently tried to steal about $25 worth of hair care items. Police describe the man as about 6-4, 400 lbs. with brown hair, wearing a red ball cap, light blue shirt and blue jeans.
The man, who Helton says has now been identified as thirty-three-year-old Henry Paul Sizemore, of Corbin, became irate when confronted about the alleged shoplifting attempt and pushed the employee.
Sizemore then pulled a knife and slashed at the loss prevention officer and fled the store, knocking aside another employee who tried to tackle him and running over a 54-year-old female customer coming into the store. The customer suffered an arm injury and broken toes.
Police say he jumped into a mid-80s red Plymouth Reliant K parked in the fire lane. Simpson was the driver. The pair sped out of the parking lot, backwards, and traveled toward US 25E.
Helton said Simpson and Sizemore are “neighbors” and are likely friends or good acquaintances. He did not know if the robbery was planned, or a spur of the moment affair.
“I can’t say definitely yes or no either way,” he said. “It’s still under investigation.”
Information about the robbery released to the media helped solve the case, Helton said. Still image photos taken from surveillance cameras were provided to print media. Television media received full-motion snippets of the crime that aired numerous times.
An arrest warrant has been obtained for Sizemore. Helton said he is not sure where the man is right now, but hopes to have him in custody soon.