Gainesville Police believe an alleged armed robber who thought he had "scattered all the way" from a local Waffle House last week has now been "smothered and covered" into custody.
Benjamin Skeen, 34, of Dahlonega apparently frequents, or at least scouted out, the 24-hour southern staple on Pentee Drive in Gainesville. But, Gainesville Police said in a press release Thursday that Waffle House employees realized the man in the dark trench coat and surgical mask looked like a diner they had served before.
“The Waffle House team members assisted Gainesville investigators in the identification of the suspect by meticulously dissecting surveillance footage,” said Gainesville Police Chief Jay Parrish in a press release. “Waffle House team members were familiar with Skeen being a frequent customer at this location.”
Police said the robbery occurred around 5 a.m. on April 8, when Skeen reportedly pointed a gun at an employee and demanded money, while dressed in the mask and trench coat. Parrish said once he got the money, he fled on foot.
Through surveillance footage, investigators confirmed Skeen had been to the restaurant several times leading up to the incident and allegedly cased the location prior to the crime.
Skeen remains in the Hall County Jail with no bond.
