Second suspect arrested in robbery of Cool Vapes
On Wednesday, January 4, Zachary Scott Kershner (27) and Nichole Dawn Williamson (24), both of Denton, were arrested following a standoff with police concerning an aggravated robbery that occurred at Cool Vapes in Sanger on December 14.
Around 10:00 a.m. Wednesday, investigators from the Sanger Police Department and the Texas Department of Public Safety Criminal Investigation Division and warrant deputies from the Denton County Sheriff’s Office went to a business owned by Kershner in Denton to attempt to serve an arrest warrant for Aggravated Robbery.
Kershner had barricaded himself in his business and refused to come out or communicate with officers when they attempted to contact him. His presence in the building was confirmed via a GPS ankle monitor he is required to wear as a term of probation, and a search warrant for the business was obtained. Due to the nature of the warrant and Kershner’s criminal history, assistance was requested from Denton Police Department’s tactical team. Negotiators attempted to contact Kershner, but he continued to refuse to communicate with police. After approximately three hours of trying to speak with Kershner to get him to come out of the business, DPD tactical team entered the business and took Kershner into custody without incident around 1:30 p.m.
Williamson, who had previously been arrested for Aggravated Robbery in connection with the December 14 robbery of Cool Vapes and bonded out, was also located hiding in the business and arrested on outstanding felony warrants for Possession of a Controlled Substance, Penalty Group 1, Under 1 gram (cocaine) and for Endangering a Child. These warrants were obtained after a search warrant was executed at Williamson’s Denton home on December 16.
Kershner was arraigned on January 5 and had bail set at $75,000 for the Aggravated Robbery warrant. Williamson had bail set at $2,500 (Possession of Controlled Substance) and $5,000 (Endangering a Child) on her warrants.
The Sanger Police Department would like to thank the Texas DPS, Denton County Sheriff’s Office, and Denton Police Department for their assistance in the investigation of the Cool Vapes Robbery and in safely taking these individuals into custody.
"I want to commend Detective Lewis for the many long hours and dedication working to solve this case," said Chief Waylan Rhodes.
At approximately 10:10 p.m. on Wednesday, December 14, the aggravated robbery occurred at the shop at 904 S, 5th Street in Sanger. A male and female dressed in all black, gloves, face coverings, and sunglasses entered the store. They displayed a handgun and forced the employee into a bathroom, then proceeded to take cash and merchandise from the store. They left the store in a red Kia Soul with no license plate visible in the surveillance video. The employee was not harmed during the robbery.