IGA Robbers Ordered Employees To The Floor

Ronald Draper (left) and his son Malachi Draper.

Dearborn County Law Enforcement Center

(Aurora, Ind.) – An Aurora man and his son are believed to be responsible for using a gun to hold up a grocery store.

The Dearborn County Prosecutor’s Office says Aurora residents Ronald Draper, Jr., 43, and Malachi Draper, 18, wore sunglasses and bandanas over their faces when they entered Tandy’s IGA on Third Street about 10:00 p.m. Saturday. Ronald Draper was armed with a gun.

Both men ordered the employees to hit the floor and demanded money. They forced one employee to take them to the office area of the store and retrieve a large amount of cash before they fled through a rear door.

With the help of a K9 unit, police from the Dearborn County Sheriff’s Department, Aurora Police, and Lawrenceburg Police were able to track the men to a nearby home. A search warrant was obtained.

Both suspects were in custody after the Indiana State Police Emergency Response Team was called in to assist.

According to a press release from the prosecutor’s office, both Drapers have been charged with Robbery with a  Deadly Weapon (Class B felony) and Theft (Class D felony).

“The Dearborn County Sheriff’s Department, the Aurora Police Department, the Dearborn County Special Crimes Unit, the Lawrenceburg Police Department, and the Indiana State Police worked together to apprehend the suspects of this violent crime,” said prosecutor Aaron Negangard.

Aurora Chief of Police Bryan Fields stated he was pleased with the successful and peaceful outcome of the incident and wanted to credit the cooperation of all those involved.

Police have not said what the duo’s motive to rob the store may have been.

LINKS:

Father and Son Duo Robbed IGA