Evans Prairie Robbery Update

By T. J. Henry

As reported in the Daily Sun, on June 26, 2014 (Tyler Breaman – Daily Sun staff writer), three suspects were arrested in connection with a robbery at Evans Prairie Country Club.  One additional suspect has a warrant out for his arrest, as well.

The three persons arrested were Melinda Michelle Brown, Latorya Monique Brown, and Keithen Jamar Rawlings.  The fourth person of interest is Marcus Cortuz Johnson. The three people seized in the caper all worked for Evans Prairie.  It is not believed Marcus Johnson did also.   All four resided in Leesburg.

Here’s what is known about the suspects:

* Melinda “Mel” Brown, 40, was a sous chef/assistant kitchen manager     who has worked for the restaurant since it’s opening.  She had keys and access to the restaurant.

* Latorya “La-La” Brown, 32, was an expeditor/food runner who told this writer she was the cousin of Melinda Brown.  She had worked at Evans Prairie for about six months.

* Keithen “Keith” Rawlings, 22, was a dish washer/prep worker.  He had been employed at Evans Prairie for approximately a year.

* There is no further information on Marcus Johnson at this time.

 

The “employee” of the restaurant, who was held up at gun point, was actually none other than Fred  Karimipour.   Fred is not a manager or employee.  He’s the owner.  He is also the owner of Bonifay Country Club, Scooples  Ice Cream Parlor and Restaurant, as well as Belle Glade Country Club (the next country club due to open in The Villages).

Just an afterthought…

Hey, Fred.  Maybe (ALONE) at 1:30 A.M., on ANY day of the week, isn’t the best time to take your deposit home.  You can consider yourself lucky.  Those involved could have followed you home (say, to the Village of  Collier).  If they had the idea just imagine all of the valuables which could have been taken as well…

Hey, Mel.  You are a key holding manager.  My many hours of television detective shows has enlightened me to tell you that detectives usually look to insiders first…

Hey, Keith.  You stand at about 6’6″.  Again, looking at employees first, a simple description of a “Really F’ing TALL! (Black male)”, might suffice to put  you at the top of the list…

Hey, Marcus.  Give it up or get the hell outta Dodge.  They have an address, picture, and most importantly, somebody’s testimony, that you were involved.  I’m going out on a limb here, but I’m guessing  YOU had the gun!  I would hazard to guess, because Fred wouldn’t recognize you, the other’s involved had the sense to use you for more than just the get away driver.

On further review… Maybe not.

Armed Robbery At Evans Prairie County Club

By T. J. Henry

As first written by Tyler Breaman of The Villages Daily Sun, an employee of Evans Prairie Country Club was the victim of an armed robbery at about 1 a.m. , Monday.  Deputies of the Sumter County Sheriff’s Department were told that two black men, one armed with a gun, stole money from an employee who had just finished his or her (not specified) shift.

Well, that just sucks.  But I would like to know what an employee was doing there at that time, anyway?  According to Evans Prairie’s web site, the restaurant closes at 10:00 p.m.  I’ve worked in restaurants for years, and even for an unnamed country club in The Villages (take a guess).  I know it takes a while to close a restaurant down after all patrons have left.  But three hours?  Sounds like someone was milking the clock.  I have no proof, just a hunch.

Another part of this pilfering which doesn’t seem to jive, is why anybody would think they COULD rob anyone that late at night, on a Monday.  Typically, in The Villages, a Monday night is second only to Sunday as far as slow nights go.  Now I’m not a detective but this just doesn’t seem right.

So just for thought, say you and a friend were out and about.  You don’t have enough cash, so the idea strikes you to rip off a restaurant worker.  What would make you think “Ah!  I got it!  Head towards E. P. C. C.  There’s bound to still be workers there at this time of night!”

Right?  Wrong.

Somebody knew that someone was still going to be there.  Also, unless they were seen on surveillance (I have no idea), then they knew where to wait for the worker.

Remember how I said it was odd that anybody would still be left at 1 a.m.?  There are a few reasons why they could be.  But only a few.  For example, maybe mandatory  pest control.  Every restaurant is required to do it and for obvious reason this is done after all work inside is completed.  Even if something like that was the case, all the workers know about it.

With that being said, I’m not saying it was an inside job, but this type of robbery is often crafted by someone who knows someone who works there.

Like I wrote earlier, it just plain sucks.  I feel bad for the worker.  I really wouldn’t  want a gun pointed at me.  In the long run the money means nothing, but it sure does make for suspiciously lousy night.