Laurel County, KY - Sheriff John Root is reporting that: Detective Kevin Berry along with Detective Kyle Gray arrested Christopher Mason age 29 of Level Green Road, Corbin on Wednesday afternoon December 7, 2016 at approximately 6:15 P.M charging him with robbery.
The charges are the result of a thorough investigation conducted by the Laurel County Sheriff's office into a reported armed robbery which deputies had responded to on November 30, 2016 at approximately 6:05 AM. at the Marathon Service Station on Adams Road near Ky 770 and I-75, approximately 10 miles south of London.
Deputies had been told that a lone gunmen armed with a pistol had robbed the female attendant and had locked her in a cooler and fled the scene on foot. Sheriff's detectives and deputies have determined that the reported robbery was in fact a staged robbery allegedly planned by Christopher Mason and executed by Charlene Jackson/Masters age 30 of Ravenswood Estates, London and another male accomplice identified as Daniel Cornelius age 19 of OWA Lane, Williamsburg.
Charlene Jackson/Masters was charged with Robbery 1st degree on Monday morning December 5, 2016, and lodged in the detention center The additional arrest of Mason occurred after information was developed that this individual had allegedly planned the staged robbery.
Christopher Mason was charged with robbery – first-degree and remains lodged in the Laurel County Detention Center, where he had been lodged on an earlier date on an unrelated investigation. Mason and Cornelius apparently divided the stolen money, and Mason reportedly spent some of the money to buy clothing, a cap, a watch, food and hotel stays.
The other accomplice Daniel Cornelius is still being sought by the Laurel County Sheriff's office. He is attempting to evade arrest and should be considered armed and dangerous. The Laurel County Sheriff's office has an active warrant on this subject for robbery - first-degree.
Anyone with any information on his whereabouts is asked to contact the Laurel County Sheriff's office at 606-864-6600 or 606-878-7000. Information will be strictly confidential. Investigation is continuing.
Detectives also charged Christopher Mason on drug charges 12-7-16 related to the discovery of drugs and cash found at the location where he had been arrested earlier by the Sheriff's office. The items located included a clear baggie of a crystal substance determined to be meth, pills, marijuana and a sum of cash. Mason was additionally charged with trafficking in a controlled substance – first-degree – first offense – methamphetamine; trafficking in a controlled substance first-degree first offense schedule 2 drugs; and possession of marijuana.
Deputies assisting on the arrest and investigation included Senior Deputy Brandon Broughton and Deputy Josh Scott.
Related article: UPDATE - Arrest by LSO in Marathon Service Station armed robbery