Three charged in robbery attempt

By: Sherrie Williams
An alleged armed robber and two accomplices are in custody following an armed robbery at K& K Foods Friday evening.

Keith Fisher, owner of the store said, “I can’t say enough good things about our police department. I don’t believe you could go anywhere else and get any better.”

The officer’s quick response resulted in Johnathan Neil Foix, 17, a 14-year-old male, and a 16-year-old male being charged with felony aggravated robbery, less than three hours after police received 911 call from the store clerk reporting that she had been robbed.

Foix’s bond was set at $100,000 and he was transported to Wichita County Jail. The juveniles were transported to Wichita County Juvenile Detention where they are still being held.

According to the probable cause affidavit, after the clerk exited the store she was approached from behind by a white male dressed in a black sweat shirt with a hood over his head and when she turned around he pulled a black semi-automatic gun out of his waist band, pointed the gun at her and demanded she give him the money, which she was carrying in a bank bag. She handed him the money bag and he fled east.

Iowa Park officers who were on duty as well as at least three who were off duty at the time of the call were at the scene and surrounding the area within minutes, according to the police log.

While officers were checking the surrounding neighborhood two male subjects were seen running in the alley behind the 800 block of Van Horn.

At approximately 11:38 p.m. Foix was caught and placed into custody. The subject told officers the other subject’s names, being a 16-year-old male, who was later located along with the 14-year-old subject. Foix told officers the 16 and 14 year-old males had planned to rob the store earlier, according to the probable cause affidavit.

Officers soon located the bank bag which still contained the money and the handgun.
The two juveniles admitted they were there during the robbery, according to the affidavit.

According to Iowa Park Police Lt. Jimmy Eaton, at least one officer was on foot when he observed two of the subjects dressed in black running in the darkness and began a foot pursuit which resulted in one of the subjects being taken into custody.

According to Eaton, in addition to Iowa Park officers, a TABC officer and two Wichita County deputies assisted in the apprehension of the subjects.

“I just can’t say enough about the response of our officers as well as the Wichita County deputies and the TABC officer. Eaton said. “They all did an outstanding job and because of their response in less than three hours we had three subjects in custody and had recovered the gun and all the money.”

Fisher continued to praise the officers involved. “We are lucky to live in a town with such a caring police department. They were quick to respond and very professional. A bad deal worked out good.”