Armed Robber Quickly Arrested

On April 5th at 9:08 pm Parsons Police Officers responded to a reported Armed Robbery at 1430 Main St., Pete's. Officers secured the business and the area surrounding it to collect evidence and speak to the eyewitnesses.

A suspect was developed from the witness statements, and it was discovered that the suspect took an undisclosed amount of money.  The security footage from the store corroborated the witness statements. The suspect was reported as fleeing the area south bound on 15th street.

Jumani Damu Ngozi Coleman, age 24, of Parsons, was identified as the suspect. Police began to search for Coleman and a lead was developed on his location in the 1300 block of Wilson. Officers set up a perimeter of the residence due to the violent nature of the call and officer's knowledge of Coleman fleeing in the past. Coleman was also identified as being on parole through the Kansas Department of Corrections (KDOC).

Sergeant Brice Dickens and Officer Christian Smith made contact with the resident and were able to identify and arrest Coleman without incident. The officers interviewed others in the residence and a search warrant was applied for and granted by a Labette County Judge for the house. During the course of the search, the clothing matching the description and the surveillance video was located along with an undisclosed amount of money believed to be taken from Pete's. Officers were also able to locate the weapon that was utilized in the Robbery in the same area as the clothes and money. Upon closer inspection, the weapon was identified as a pellet gun, which was made to resemble a Taurus semi-automatic pistol.

Parsons Police Detective Kyle Wiford said, "the cooperation of the witnesses and victims of this heinous crime allowed for a speedy arrest of a convicted felon. This cooperation and the responding officer's dedication to duty put yet another felon in the courts hand for judicial justice."

Officers notified Coleman's parole officer, and an Arrest and Detain Order was also issued. Coleman was transport to the Parsons Police Department and charges for Aggravated Robbery, Aggravated Assault, and Theft are being requested through the Labette County Attorney's Office.

Parsons Police Chief Robert Spinks said, "I love that 'See It, Hear It, Report It' has again prevailed in Parsons. It is refreshing that the citizens of Parsons have adopted the motto to help clean up the criminal element in their great community. This incident was ended in a quick arrest of the suspect in approximately two hours. This is attributed to the quick and decisive action of the reposing officers and the cooperation of the witnesses."

This continues to be an on-going investigation and citizens are encouraged to "See It, Hear It, Report It." If anyone has any further information on this incident or any other criminal activity, please contact the Parsons Police Department at 421-7060 or call the Tip Line at 421-7057 or email at tips@parsonspd.com.

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