Media

Lakeland Restaurant Robbers Caught By Deputies

Release Date: July 25, 2006

Shelby County Sheriff’s Deputies have charged two gang members who they believe were involved in the robbery of the Waffle House restaurant in Lakeland earlier this month.

Deputies with the Sheriff’s Office Gang Unit and General Investigation Bureau took the men into custody last Friday evening at a Frayser apartment building on North Watkins.

Robert Wiggins	Donta Taylor

Investigators believe Robert Wiggins, 22, and Donta Taylor, 24, both of Memphis, and members of the “Grape Street Crips” gang, were involved in the robbery that happened just after 2:00 in the morning on July 3. Taylor was a former employee of the restaurant.

Investigators say Taylor entered the restaurant at 3640 Canada Road with three other men.  As the men got up to leave after eating a meal, investigators say Robert Wiggins, armed with a pistol went into the restaurant wearing a bandana over his face.  He jumped over the counter and forced a waitress to give him an undetermined amount of money.

No one was hurt in the robbery.  Wiggins has been charged with Aggravated Robbery. Taylor was charged with Criminal Conspiracy to Wit Aggravated Robbery.  Deputies say three other men were involved in the robbery and more charges are expected.