CNB Crime: Winslow Township Police Arrest Suspect on Armed Robbery Charges
Wednesday, January 27, 2016
SICKLERVILLE/WINSLOW TWP-- On January 3, 2016 at approximately 2225hrs, a 30 y/o female was sitting in her parked vehicle on Tailor Lane in the Wiltons Corner Development, as it was warming up. An unknown B/M, later identified as Lester Lanier knocked on her drivers side window and asked for directions. As the female put down the window, Lanier pointed a handgun at the female and demanded everything. The victim gave the Lanier her purse and cell phone, and he fled the area. Responding officers thoroughly checked the area on foot and with a K-9, with negative results.
On 01/21/2016 at approximately 2226hrs, a 59 y/o female was walking from her vehicle in the area of Midfield Street in the Wiltons Corner Development. As the victim was walking, Lanier approached her and pointed a handgun at her and demanded everything she had. Lanier then forcibly ripped the purse from the victim knocking her to the ground, and dragging her down a set of concrete steps. Lanier then struck the victim in the head multiple times with the handgun, before fleeing the scene with the victims purse. The victim was subsequently transported via ambulance to the hospital to be treated for trauma to her head.
Officers on scene, developed information that Lanier was at unit block Candlestick Lane, in the same development. Shortly after knocking on the front door, Lanier fled out the back door of the house on foot. As officers gave chase, Lanier threw the purse he had just stolen. Officers eventually caught up to Lanier and after a brief struggle he was taken into custody. Officers then located a handgun lying underneath Lanier after they had handcuffed him. The serial number on the handgun had been removed.
Officers then conducted a search at the unit block of Candlestick Lane. As a result of that search, items from the first armed robbery on 01/03 were discovered.
Lanier was charged with (2) counts of each of the following: first degree armed robbery, possession of handgun for unlawful purpose, and aggravated assault, and (1) count of terroristic threats, possession of a defaced firearm, and resisting arrest. Bail was set at $500,000.00 full cash.
source Winslow Township police department