A crime stoppers tip is credited in the arrest of a Jackson man, who had altered his appearance, after he attempted to rob a 71-year-old Beech Bluff man on BP's parking lot.
Around 1:30 p.m. Sunday, police were called to BP at 223 Airways Blvd. The 71-year-old man was pumping gas when a young man approached the older man from behind and attempted to take the victim's wallet from his back pocket.
There was a struggle and the young man was unable to get the wallet. The older man acted in self-defense, removed the gas nozzle from his car and sprayed the young man with gasoline during the attack. The young man then ran away toward Gordon Street.
Police obtained video surveillance from inside BP, which captured the young man inside the store before the attempted robbery.
On Tuesday, investigators released a video image of the young man, who had dread-lock style hair and a goatee, to the media. The same day, police received a crime stoppers tip that the video image was that of Quentin Collier.
Investigators followed up on the lead generated by the tip. Further investigation determined that Collier, 19, was the person who had attempted to rob the older man of his wallet.
Police arrested Collier in Jackson around 6 p.m. Wednesday. Officers noticed that Collier was wearing glasses, had cut his dread-locks and had shaved his goatee.
Investigators learned that Collier had taken steps to alter his appearance after the attempted robbery to change how he looked in the released video image.
Collier continues to be held at the Madison County Jail. He is scheduled to be arraigned via video link at 8 a.m. Friday in Jackson City Court for attempted robbery.
