Laurel deputies arrest alleged mastermind of staged gas station robbery

Laurel County Sheriff’s deputies have identified and arrested a second suspect in the staged robbery at the Marathon gas station off Exit 29 that took place on November 30.

According to Sheriff John Root, deputies have charged 29-year-old Christopher Mason with one count of first-degree robbery.

“He was the planner and drove the car,” said Deputy Gilbert Acciardo, the department’s public affairs office, when asked what part Mason allegedly played in the robbery.

Mason was initially arrested Wednesday evening at Corbin Manor Apartments along with the store clerk, Charlene Jackson/Masters, of London, on multiple drug-related charges.

When asked how deputies connected Mason to the robbery, Acciardo would only say it was through the course of the investigation.

According to Sheriff Root, Mason and the third suspect, 19-year-old Daniel Cornelius, who allegedly committed the robbery, divided the stolen money.

Mason reportedly spent some of the money to buy clothing, a cap, a watch, food and hotel stays, Root stated.

“We have recovered some but very little of the money,” Acciardo said. “I think they spent a lot of it.”

Acciardo said Mason’s drug charges stem from the discovery of drugs when he and Jackson/Masters were arrested.

Deputies reported finding a clear baggie of a crystal substance determined to be methamphetamine, along with a quantity of prescription pills, marijuana and a sum of cash.

Mason was also charged with first-degree trafficking in a controlled substance – methamphetamine, first-degree trafficking in a controlled substance – drug unspecified, and possession of marijuana.

Mason is being held in the Laurel County Detention Center on a $100,000 cash bond.

Cornelius remains on the run and deputies are asking for the public’s help to locate him.

Anyone with information concerning Cornelius’ whereabouts is asked to contact the sheriff’s office at (606) 864-6600, or Laurel County 911 at (606) 878-7000. Callers may remain anonymous.

Root warns that citizens should consider Cornelius to be armed and dangerous.

Deputies were initially called to the store just after 6 a.m. on November 30 in response to a report that a man had robbed the store at gunpoint.

Deputies had been told that a lone gunman armed with a pistol had robbed the female attendant, later identified as Jackson/Masters, and then locked her in the cooler.

Jackson/Masters is also facing one count of first-degree robbery.