Residents Fight Back During Armed Robbery Attempt

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Two residents decided to take matters into their own hands when they were approached by a man who allegedly tried to rob them outside an Alpharetta restaurant.

Alpharetta police on March 30 responded to the parking lot of Miller’s Ale House on Davis Drive around 9:03 p.m. in reference to a fight. When officers arrived onto the scene, they discovered two individuals holding a man down in the parking lot and a black pistol lying in the middle of the parking lot.

Two citizens, Kevin Luebke and Ed Sneddon, said they were standing next to Luebke’s vehicle when a man, later identified as Jason C. Lappe, 41, of Sandy Springs, approached them and allegedly told them to hand over their keys, wallets and cell phones.

According to an incident report released by the Alpharetta Department of Public Safety, Lappe allegedly lifted up his shirt to show a black pistol tucked into his waist band.

“Mr. Sneddon said he immediately complied and dropped his car keys on the ground,” the report states. “Mr. Sneddon said as Mr. Lappe bent over to pick up the car keys, he and Mr. Luebke attacked Mr. Lappe, knocking him to the ground. Mr. Sneddon said he was able to pull the gun from Mr. Lappe’s waist and throw it across the parking lot.”

The men cried for help, and several Miller’s employees came to their aid, the report states.

Luebke told WSB-TV that he didn’t think Lappe had “any intention of shooting us,” but was glad the situation did not escalate any further than the parking lot scuffle.

“It could have ended up many different ways, but I’m just thankful it ended up the way it ended up,” he stated.

Lappe was held down until police arrived onto the scene. The firearm, a black Power340 Daisy BB gun, was also recovered in the parking lot. Lappe was charged with armed robbery, possession of cocaine and possession of a firearm or knife during the commission of or attempt to commit certain felonies.

Records show he remains at the Fulton County Jail.

While this incident did not result in serious injuries or a fatality, George Gordon, spokesperson with the Alpharetta Department of Public Safety, cautioned against citizens taking matters into their own hands.

“What if the individual had two firearms? What happens if he had an accomplice with him in the parking lot looking out for him?” he told WSB-TV’s Mike Petchenik. “It’s just property. It’s better to just comply by giving up the property.”

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