MORESuspects call themselves the ‘Knockout Boys’ before beating Springfield man, police say
Brooke Clipner, 28, of Springfield, is charged in Clark County Municipal Court with complicity to aggravated robbery. She is accused of driving the getaway car.
Springfield police began their investigation when they were dispatched to the store for the robbery, a police affidavit filed with the charges says. The teller told them the suspect came into the store and went directly to the cash register.
“The suspect stated ‘It’s a robbery, gimme the money,’” the affidavit says. “While holding what appeared … to be a ‘gun’ pointed in his direction. (The teller) stated that he was afraid that the suspect had a gun and opened the register and handed over an unknown amount of U.S. currency.”
The suspect also ordered the teller to hand over a pack of cigarettes, the court document says.
After reviewing surveillance video of the robbery, officers said they were able to identify Trainer because of past dealings with him. Officers also noticed the car was parked suspiciously while Trainer was allegedly inside the store and pulled out with headlights on, the affidavit says.
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The teller said the suspect was driven away in a dark-colored vehicle with a loud muffler and officers say they were able to locate the car about an hour and a half after the incident. Inside the car were Trainer and Clipner, according to the affidavit.
“(An officer) activated his overhead emergency lights and conducted a traffic stop with the vehicle,” the report says. “(The officer) ordered both individuals to place their hands on the vehicle as he advised dispatch to his location. Officers placed Mr. Trainer in custody without incident.”
When backup arrived Clipner was arrested too, the report says.
“Mr. Trainer was wearing the identical clothing that he was wearing at the time of the robbery,” the report says.
Clipner told authorities that she did drive Trainer to the store but was unaware that he was going to rob the store, the report says.
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“However, when asked … why she parked in the manner as described and left the lot without turning on her headlights, she claimed that she always does that and denied leaving the lot without her headlights activated,” the report says. “She did admit that once Mr. Trainer got into the vehicle, he told her ‘Go’ and the left the lot.”
The robbery happened on the same night as another robbery at a different Speedway, according to police.
Police were searching for a red sedan that is missing a right rear wheel cover in connection to a robbery at the Speedway on 5050 Urbana Road.
Authorities did not respond to messages seeking comment on that investigation Friday.
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