Published: April 10, 2009 11:24 pm      

Father, son charged in Eppy’s robbery

Beckley police say a Midway man robbed a city pharmacy at gunpoint last month and his father drove the getaway car, but the younger suspect remains at-large.

Larry Allen Bowles, 47, and his son, Robert Nathaniel Bowles, 26, are both charged with first-degree robbery and conspiracy to commit a felony, Detective Sgt. David Allard said. Larry Bowles was arrested Thursday and was being held at Southern Regional Jail ion $100,000 bond. Robert Bowles remains at-large.

After the March 26 robbery at Eppy’s Pharmacy, several people phoned in tips to Crime Stoppers, Allard said. Police investigated every tip, but some did not pan out.

But this week, police received more tips that seemed accurate and provided detailed information, Allard said. He and Detective Cpl. Jamie Blume went to Virginia, where the suspects once lived, and conducted interviews with several people there, confirming information from Crime Stoppers tips.

Police executed a search warrant Thursday at Larry Bowles’ Midway home, Allard said. There, the gun used in the robbery — which turned out to be a BB gun — was recovered. Larry Bowles was brought in for questioning and later confessed to his role in the crime.

Allard said both Larry and Robert Bowles conspired to rob Eppy’s. Larry Bowles drove a vehicle and parked it at the pharmacy’s rear. He went inside first to “scout” the business and make sure no customers were inside. After he returned to his vehicle, Robert went inside the pharmacy and robbed it.

The controlled substances taken during the robbery, identified as prescription painkillers, have not been recovered, Allard said. Police have received information the alleged motive was for the suspects to both sell and use the drugs.

Robert Bowles, Allard said, is potentially dangerous, and no one should try to approach him. Police believe he could be in or near Statesville, N.C. However, he does have ties to Bland County, Va., and Raleigh County.

Those with information about Bowles’ whereabouts is encouraged to call Beckley police at 304-256-1708, Crime Stoppers at 304-255-7867 or their local police agency.

Both Allard and Capt. Jeff Shumate praised Crime Stoppers and the citizens who phoned in tips. These tips, they said, were “absolutely instrumental” in solving this case.

“This case could have been much harder to solve or not solved at all if it weren’t for citizens calling Crime Stoppers with meaningful tips,” Allard said. “Crime Stoppers is absolutely vital. All information they receive is sent to us quickly and we follow up.

“This is a testament to Crime Stoppers and the job they are doing in helping us solve crimes. I am also glad to live in a community where people still care for one another, wanting to help their neighbors and work with law enforcement.”

Allard commended the help he received from other agencies, both local and out-of-state. Shumate also praised Allard’s and Blume’s work. Their “excellent investigative work” solved this robbery.

— E-mail: apridemore@register-herald.com