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June 30, 2008

Cato robbery an inside job

Sommer Woodward

The May 23 robbery of the Cato store in Pryor looks like an inside job.

Angela Renee Copeland, 26, Pryor, was arrested for felony embezzlement by an employee, conspiracy to commit a crime and filing a false police report.

She is being held in the Mayes County Jail on a $75,000 bond.

Copeland, an employee of Cato at the time of the robbery, is accused of paying two people to enter the store and take an undisclosed amount of money.

After Detective James Willyard began the investigation, he discovered Copeland's story had too many discrepancies and began looking into the possibility she was involved in the robbery.

Willyard said Copeland reported a man and woman came into the store and demanded money. He said the couple didn't demand Copeland give them money because she willingly handed the money over as part of the plan.

Copeland allegedly then waited for a short time and called the Pryor Police Department to report a robbery.

Willyard expects three more people will be charged for their involvement in the incident.

The names of the couple who took the money have not been released.

The district attorney's office has a report asking for warrants for the couple and a third suspect, Karen Conway, Copeland's mother.

Conway was arrested Monday in Cherokee County when Willyard and Corporal Doug Barham served a search warrant with the Cherokee County Sheriff's Office. Officers found 1.5 ounces of methamphetamine at the residence. She was taken to the Cherokee County Jail and released Wednesday on a $45,000 bond.

Police have not stated what involvement she has with the robbery.

Willyard expects arrest warrants will be issued for the remaining three on Monday.



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Cato robbery an inside job
by Sommer Woodward , , Mon Jun 30, 2008, 08:14 AM CDT
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