Natchez man arrested for armed robbery

Published 12:00 am Friday, April 16, 2010

NATCHEZ — Police have arrested a man in connection with an armed robbery on Brenham Avenue Wednesday.

Daniel Eugene Varner Jr., 21, 703 N. Wall St., was arrested Wednesday and charged with armed robbery, Natchez Police Sgt. Craig Godbold said Thursday. Varner is being held at the Natchez City Jail without bond.

Godbold said Varner reportedly was the getaway driver for the alleged armed robber who stole approximately $400 from Brenham Avenue resident Melvin Cooks.

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Godbold said Cooks told police he was held up with a rifle at approximately 1 a.m. Wednesday by a black male in dark clothing.

Patrol officers were able to follow the getaway truck down Martin Luther King Jr. Street and onto Ray Street, where Varner bailed out of the vehicle and fled on foot.

“(Varner) came back to retrieve his truck and patrol officers brought him into the police station for questioning.

“We believe two people bailed out of the truck, but we only saw one.”

Godbold said police have identified the alleged armed robber, but Godbold declined to release his name. An arrest is pending.

“Right now we know who the other male is, but we have not tracked him down yet,” Godbold said.