Lockport man accused of attempted robbery
LOCKPORT — A city man was charged with armed robbery early Tuesday after he allegedly tried to rob the owner of Timkey Limousine and car service just after midnight, police said.
An hour after the attempted robbery, police and Niagara County sheriff’s deputies surrounded a home on Grant Street and arrested Lamont C. Washington, 19, of Gooding Street, who was charged with first-degree robbery, second-degree assault and theft of services.
The owner of the limousine service, William Timkey, told police that Washington tried to rob him at gunpoint in the 200 block of Locust Street while both were inside a company car. Timkey was treated in Lockport Memorial Hospital for chest pains and a bite on his finger and released.
Detective Capt. Richard Podgers said Timkey and Washington struggled over the gun, which was a BB gun but looked like a rifle.
“He only had a few bucks, so maybe [Timkey] was afraid that he didn’t have any money for [Washington],” Podgers said. “[Timkey] grabbed the gun, which was pointed at him, and they struggled until the gun fell on the floor of the car and Washington fled.”
City police said they followed footprints and bicycle tire tracks to an address close to the crime scene, where Washington’s girlfriend lives. Washington surrendered, and his arraignment is scheduled for today.
