By Staff
CASSOPOLIS -- A second Niles man has been arrested in connection with last month's Cottage Tavern attempted robbery and a third subject has been identified, Cass County Sheriff Joseph Underwood Jr. reported Friday.
The sheriff said a warrant had been issued for the arrest of Christopher Alan Brinkley, 26, of Niles.
Brinkley turned himself in to law enforcement authorities on a felony warrant issued Sept. 11 by Cass County Fourth District Court.
The Buchanan Police Department took Brinkley into custody Friday afternoon, then transported him to the Cass County Jail, where he was lodged on a felony warrant awaiting arraignment to set bond.
The 10-count felony warrant is for assault with intent to murder, conspiracy to commit armed robbery, assault with intent to rob while armed and felony firearms.
On Aug. 14 three male subjects attempted to rob the Cottage Tavern in Pokagon Township, near Dowagiac.
During the robbery, two patrons, Jeffery Collett, 32, and Matthew Kiggins, 26, attempted to apprehend the subjects and were subsequently assaulted and shot by them.
They were hospitalized for these injuries and have since been discharged to recuperate at their residences in the Dowagiac area, the sheriff said.
Previous to this arrest, the Cass County Sheriff's Office and Niles City Police Department detectives apprehended Herbert Michael Ford Jr., 33, of Niles, in connection with this shooting and attempted robbery.
Ford was at the Cass County Jail awaiting trial on a three-count felony warrant for conspiracy to commit armed robbery and assault with intent to rob while armed in connection with this case.
Ford's bond was set at $100,000.
The third suspect has been identified as Derrick Lawayne Deals, 30, also of Niles. A felony warrant has been issued for Deals in connection with the robbery/shooting as well.
Persons who know the whereabouts of Deals should contact the Cass County Sheriff's Office at 269/445-1205 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-342-7867.
Investigators from the Cass County Sheriff's Office have been assisted by the Dowagiac and Niles city police departments as well as the Cass County Drug Enforcement Team in this investigation, which is ongoing.