Published: September 11, 2008 10:51 am         

Shasta Vaughn allegedly tries to rob Plaza Drug

Shasta Vaughn is being held in the Laurel County Detention Center on a $50,000 bond after she allegedly tried to rob Plaza Drug on U.S. 25 Friday.

Vaughn, 20, of London, was taken into custody by Laurel County Sheriff’s deputies and later charged by Kentucky State Police Detective Mark Allen, who is leading the investigation into the incident.

Allen said officers were called to the scene Friday evening in response to a complaint that a woman had come into the store about 5:30 p.m. Employees told police that as they were waiting on the woman, she reportedly pulled a gun from her waistband and demanded drugs.

“The employees told us she had a gun, but we never did find one,” Allen said. “According to Miss Vaughn, she didn’t have a gun.”

The female fled the scene, but Allen said she left empty-handed.

Employees gave police a description of the woman, though they could not say where she fled.

Working with Laurel County Sheriff’s deputies and London Police, Kentucky State Police began an investigation into the incident. Allen said the investigation led police to identify Vaughn as the suspect. Officers went to Vaughn’s mother’s home, but they were unable to locate Vaughn.

About 1 a.m. Saturday, Allen was notified by deputies that they had Vaughn in custody.

Allen responded and after speaking with Vaughn she was charged with first-degree robbery.

She was arraigned Monday in Laurel District Court where a not guilty plea was entered on her behalf. She is scheduled to return to court Sept. 16 for a preliminary hearing to determine if there is sufficient cause to present the case to a Laurel County Grand Jury.