The Red and Black

Issue date: 6/25/09 Section: News

LOONEY [Click to enlarge]

Athens-Clarke County police apprehended a man accused of robbing four area businesses Tuesday and Wednesday, which included the Papa John's Pizza across the street from University's Brumby Hall.

Richard Lewis Looney, 38, was apprehended by ACC officers after he was caught fleeing from a convenience store he was attempting to rob Wednesday afternoon, police said. At 4:50 p.m., officers responded to an armed robbery in progress at the Golden Pantry at the corner of Prince Avenue and Barber Street. Looney ran out the store toward the parking lot of New Way Cleaners, and as he looked back at pursuing officers, he ran into the side of a vehicle turning into the parking lot. Looney was taken into custody without further incident.

He was charged with felony robbery, two counts of felony criminal attempt, aggravated assault and misdemeanor obstruction of a law enforcement officer.

The robberies started Tuesday night, after officers responded to a robbery at Papa John's, located at 496 Baxter Street, at 11 p.m. Employees told police a white male entered and approached the counter, and when asked if he wanted to order, handed an employee a note saying she was being watched by an armed gunman outside the business. He said as long as she gave him the money, no one would get hurt. She complied and he left.

The ACC police sent out a release later Wednesday saying the man was suspected in an attempted robbery at the Exxon Gas Station, 1650 Commerce Road, around noon Wednesday and a Dollar General in Jackson County.

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