Breadbox Robbery Nets Combined Fifty Years for Two Cousins

Prosecutors in DA Charme Allen’s Career Gang Unit obtained multiple convictions against a pair of cousins who robbed a Breadbox convenience store and two customers. Benny Joe Cooper, 46, and Darrell Alfred Cooper, 55, were each convicted of two counts of Aggravated Robbery, two counts of Aggravated Kidnapping, and Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon. Under the terms of the plea agreement, Benny Cooper received a sentence of thirty years in prison without the possibility of parole, and Darrell Cooper received a sentence of twenty years in prison without the possibility of parole.

In a plea hearing before Judge Scott Green, Assistant District Attorney Phil Morton explained to the Court that on December 6, 2014, the Defendants entered the Breadbox at 3818 Sutherland Avenue brandishing firearms with their faces covered. The two robbed the store of $91 in cash and $100 worth of cigarettes. Before leaving, they also robbed two customers at gunpoint, placing them on the floor, taking their wallets, and threatening to kill them. The two fled the scene, but they were followed by a citizen who witnessed the robbery. The citizen called 911 and gave police a vehicle description, license plate number, and location of the robbers. Knoxville Police Department officers quickly apprehended the Coopers who were still in possession of the victim’s wallets.

“”Career criminals with no regard for the law will continue to receive harsh sentences from my Office,”” said DA Charme Allen.””These two brandished handguns and threatened to kill members of our community in order to obtain $91. They deserve every day of the sentence they received.””

Benny Joe Cooper has eleven prior convictions including six convictions for Aggravated Robbery plus several weapons and contraband convictions. Darrell Alfred Cooper has prior convictions for Aggravated Robbery, Burglary, and Larceny.

If you have any questions, please contact Sean McDermott at 865-215-2515 or Sean.McDermott@knoxcounty.org. For more information about the District Attorney’s Office, visit our website at dag.knoxcountytn.gov and follow us on Facebook and Twitter.