onedef92
02-01-2011, 10:55am
Customers, workers relieved by arrest of Smoothie King bandit
Posted: Jan 31, 2011 7:34 PM EST
Updated: Jan 31, 2011 11:55 PM EST
BILOXI, MS (WLOX) - The so-called Smoothie King bandit is scheduled to make his initial appearance in court Tuesday morning. He faces four counts of armed robbery. The crime spree targeted three cities, within days of each other.
Biloxi police say 25-year old Kraig Laurence Funderburk turned himself in Sunday, after someone recognized him through media reports and convinced him to surrender. Investigators credit the public and police agencies working together to solve this rash of robberies.
"They called us, notified us, said, 'Hey, it might be the same guy.' We were able to look at surveillance and other key pieces of evidence to determine that it appeared very much was the same guy. He just came in and said he was the one we were looking for," said Christopher De Back with the Biloxi Police Department.
Kelli Moore expressed her relief Monday, after learning that the man accused of robbing the Biloxi Smoothie King at gunpoint is in jail.
"I'm glad he turned himself in. I feel a little bit safer when I come into work," said Moore.
Moore was working last Tuesday when a man she described as nervous and suspicious walked in.
"I realized what was about to happen and I tried to talk to him," said Moore. "He pulled up his shirt, showed us his gun, and we walked down to the register. I gave him the register and he made us go back and lay on the floor and we waited until he left and called police."
The business posted a sign, notifying customers that the front door will be temporarily locked when it gets dark, and to use the drive thru instead.
"I've been nervous since I heard it. You wonder like, how desperate to hit a Smoothie King of all places? The desperation behind that. If they're going to hit Smoothie King now, then what are they going to hit tomorrow?" asked Elizabeth Garibell, a loyal customer.
Police said Funderburk did strike again. He is accused of robbing the Sunshine Whole Foods Store in Ocean Springs three days later. Then, on Saturday morning, police say Funderburk returned to the Smoothie King and robbed it again. Later that same day, police say Funderburk hit Carol's Health Food Store in D'Iberville.
"I went to high school, I went to grade school with the suspect," said another customer Les Valentine. "Looking back when I see the name, when it popped up in the news, it was kind of shocking."
WLOX found some surprises while searching Funderburk's Facebook page. He states that he is married with two step children and a two-year-old son. Funderburk once attended a college in Biloxi and majored in Criminal Justice. Funderburk now finds himself on the other side of the law.
"I'm happy that they were able to catch him and he's where he belongs and we're safe now," said Garibell.
"I hope this never happens to me again. It'll be a while before I forget," said Moore.
Biloxi police say based on their preliminary investigation, Funderburk does not have a criminal history and they don't have a motive yet. Funderburk's bond for the Harrison County crimes is set at $600,000.
Posted: Jan 31, 2011 7:34 PM EST
Updated: Jan 31, 2011 11:55 PM EST
BILOXI, MS (WLOX) - The so-called Smoothie King bandit is scheduled to make his initial appearance in court Tuesday morning. He faces four counts of armed robbery. The crime spree targeted three cities, within days of each other.
Biloxi police say 25-year old Kraig Laurence Funderburk turned himself in Sunday, after someone recognized him through media reports and convinced him to surrender. Investigators credit the public and police agencies working together to solve this rash of robberies.
"They called us, notified us, said, 'Hey, it might be the same guy.' We were able to look at surveillance and other key pieces of evidence to determine that it appeared very much was the same guy. He just came in and said he was the one we were looking for," said Christopher De Back with the Biloxi Police Department.
Kelli Moore expressed her relief Monday, after learning that the man accused of robbing the Biloxi Smoothie King at gunpoint is in jail.
"I'm glad he turned himself in. I feel a little bit safer when I come into work," said Moore.
Moore was working last Tuesday when a man she described as nervous and suspicious walked in.
"I realized what was about to happen and I tried to talk to him," said Moore. "He pulled up his shirt, showed us his gun, and we walked down to the register. I gave him the register and he made us go back and lay on the floor and we waited until he left and called police."
The business posted a sign, notifying customers that the front door will be temporarily locked when it gets dark, and to use the drive thru instead.
"I've been nervous since I heard it. You wonder like, how desperate to hit a Smoothie King of all places? The desperation behind that. If they're going to hit Smoothie King now, then what are they going to hit tomorrow?" asked Elizabeth Garibell, a loyal customer.
Police said Funderburk did strike again. He is accused of robbing the Sunshine Whole Foods Store in Ocean Springs three days later. Then, on Saturday morning, police say Funderburk returned to the Smoothie King and robbed it again. Later that same day, police say Funderburk hit Carol's Health Food Store in D'Iberville.
"I went to high school, I went to grade school with the suspect," said another customer Les Valentine. "Looking back when I see the name, when it popped up in the news, it was kind of shocking."
WLOX found some surprises while searching Funderburk's Facebook page. He states that he is married with two step children and a two-year-old son. Funderburk once attended a college in Biloxi and majored in Criminal Justice. Funderburk now finds himself on the other side of the law.
"I'm happy that they were able to catch him and he's where he belongs and we're safe now," said Garibell.
"I hope this never happens to me again. It'll be a while before I forget," said Moore.
Biloxi police say based on their preliminary investigation, Funderburk does not have a criminal history and they don't have a motive yet. Funderburk's bond for the Harrison County crimes is set at $600,000.