IMPD Robbery Detectives Arrest Three Men After Robbery Spree

INDIANAPOLIS – Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department (IMPD) Robbery detectives have arrested three men after a lengthy robbery spree.

Robbery Detectives with the IMPD have made arrests after investigating numerous robberies which stem back to August. After a thorough investigation detectives were able to determine that 30-year-old George Taylor Jr., 28-year-old James Bess and 27-year-old Tony Hamilton are allegedly responsible for the following robberies at the following businesses:

1. 8.16.18 Thornton’s at 7425 E. Washington St.
2. 8.21.18 Steak N Shake at 2403 N. Post Rd.
3. 8.27.18 Speedway Gas Station at 1590 N. Post Rd.
4. 8.28.18 Village Pantry at 1415 W. 86th St.
5. 9.4.18 Speedway Gas Station at 965 N. German Church Rd.
6. 9.11.18 Penn Station at 1004 N. Shadeland Ave.
7. 9.12.18 Speedway Gas Station at 11531 E. Washington St. (Cumberland)
8. 9.19.18 CVS at 7240 E. 82nd St.
9. 10.1.18 Liquor Unlimited at 10030 E. 10th St.
10. 10.8.18 Auto Zone at 1170 N. Arlington Ave.
11. 10.16.18 Auto Zone at 2739 E. 38th St.
12. 10.22.18 Steak N Shake at 7930 E. Washington St.
13. 10.24.18 Auto Zone at 11120 E. Washington St. (Cumberland)
14. 10.24.18 Auto Zone at 8702 E. Washington St.
15. 11.9.18 Auto Zone at 5455 N. Keystone Ave.

On November 9, 2018, officers with the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department (IMPD) were provided information about a possible armed robbery in progress at the AutoZone located at 5455 N Keystone.  Just before 9:25 p.m., officers set up a perimeter around the business. A short time later three suspects came out of the business wearing clothing that concealed their faces. When confronted by officers two of the suspects turned toward the officers and the officers could see they were armed with handguns.  One officer fired a total of two shots at the suspects (none were shot).  One of the suspects got into a car and fled the scene but crashed at 55^th and Oxford after a short vehicle pursuit and was taken into custody.  The two other suspects fled on foot and one was taken into custody. Officers quickly set up a perimeter while K9’s and a Drone searched for the third suspect who has was not apprehended.

 

 

 

 

 

Robbery detectives responded to the scene and began interviewing witnesses. During the course the investigation, detectives identified George Taylor Jr., James Bess and Tony Hamilton.  All three were arrested following the armed robbery of the Auto Zone on November 9, 2018.  The case was screened with the MCPO and Hamilton was charged with one (1) count of armed robbery, Bess was charged with six (6) counts of armed robbery and Taylor was charged with fifteen (15) counts of armed robbery.

Anyone with information about criminal activity should call Crime Stoppers of Central Indiana at 317.262.8477 or (TIPS).  Citizens can also download the mobile P3tips app for Apple or Android phones to submit a mobile tip, or go to www.CrimeTips.org to submit a web tip. You will remain anonymous and may be eligible for a cash reward of up to $1000 if the information leads to a felony arrest.  Only tips submitted directly and anonymously to Crime Stoppers are eligible for these cash rewards.

A charge of a crime is merely an accusation, and the defendant is presumed innocent until