Third suspect arrested in ‘staged’ gas station robbery

Laurel County Sheriff’s deputies arrested the third suspect in the staged robbery at the Marathon gas station off of Exit 29 in north Corbin on November 30.

According to Sheriff John Root, deputies arrested 19-year-old Daniel Cornelius of London at approximately 5 p.m.

Detectives Kevin Berry and Kyle Gray had developed information concerning Cornelius’ whereabouts.

Berry and Gray found him at Jeffery Gregory’s residence on Slate Ridge Road in Lily.

Deputy Gilbert Acciardo, the department’s public affairs officer, said Cornelius was hiding in a back room of the residence.

When Cornelius refused orders from deputies to come out, Deputy Daniel Grigsby used his K-9 “Edge” to gain compliance from Cornelius.

“The subject was combative refusing to comply with deputies, and kicked the K-9 during arrest before being subdued by the K-9,” Acciardo stated.

While at the residence deputies spoke with a woman who had a black eye.

According to Acciardo, the woman claimed that she was Cornelius’ girlfriend and that he had assaulted her.

“His girlfriend is currently pregnant and five children were present at the time,” Acciardo stated.

Cornelius was charged with first-degree robbery and first-degree unlawful imprisonment stemming from the November 30 incident, and fourth-degree assault – domestic violence, resisting arrest, third-degree assault on a police officer and second-degree wanton endangerment stemming from the incident with officers and the woman.

Finally, deputies served an outstanding warrant out of Whitley County charging Cornelius with failure to appear in court on charges of fourth-degree assault, second-degree wanton endangerment and third-degree terroristic threatening.

Fifty-two-year-old Gregory was charged with second-degree hindering prosecution or apprehension.

According to deputies, Gregory knew that Cornelius was wanted but made no attempt to contact law enforcement about his whereabouts.

Acciardo said with the arrest of Cornelius and the prior arrests of 30-year-old Charlene Jackson/Masters and 29-year-old Christopher Mason, detectives have all of the suspects in the robbery.

Acciardo said previously that detectives believe Mason was the mastermind of the staged robbery. Jackson/Masters was the clerk on duty at the store at the time. Cornelius acted as the robbery.

Laurel County Sheriff’s deputies were called to the scene about 6 a.m. in response to a complaint that a lone gunman had entered the store, demanded money and then locked the clerk in the cooler before fleeing the scene.

Upon further investigation, detective determined the robbery had been staged.

Detectives initially identified Jackson/Masters and Cornelius as suspects.

Jackson/Masters was arrested at a residence on American Greeting Card Road.

At the same time, detectives took Mason into custody on unrelated drug charges.

Upon further investigation, detectives determined that Mason was involved in the robbery, describing him as the mastermind.

As a result, Mason was also charged with first-degree robbery.

The respective cases against Jackson/Masters and Mason have been waived to the grand jury.

Under Kentucky law, first-degree robbery is a Class B felony carrying a potential sentence of 10 to 20 years in prison.