Suffolk News-Herald

Police took a bite out of crime Tuesday, thwarting a robbery attempt at Tony’s Famous Grill while eating dinner at the Pruden Boulevard eatery.

Three detectives – who had originally been tipped off that a robbery was being planned for Wednesday night – were dining at the restaurant Tuesday when the suspects entered the building around 7:30 p.m., said Sgt. Stephen Smith, spokesman for the Suffolk Police Department.

Police were subsequently alerted that the suspects had actually planned to hold up the restaurant on Tuesday, rather than Wednesday.

Police increased police patrol around the restaurant after receiving the first tip.

Two people allegedly involved in the robbery plot went into the restaurant on Tuesday to meet with an employee involved in the scheme, Smith said. The employee, knowing police were in the building, had refused to open the back door for the pair as planned, he said.

The robbers were already at the restaurant when police were notified of their new plans.

Four Suffolk residents – Brandon Campbell, 19; Deshawn Holly, 19; and Rachel Huggins, 20, an employee at Tony’s; and a juvenile – have all been charged in the incident, Smith said.

Each is charged with attempted robbery, attempted abduction and two counts of conspiracy to commit a felony.