Winder man faces charges in hotel clerk robbery

WINDER - Winder Police have arrested a 59 year old man on charges he robbed a hotel clerk early Thursday morning.

According to Winder Police, the man robbed the Best Western on West Athens Street around 3:00 a.m. The female clerk told police she'd seen the man at the business before, but didn't know his name.

Police said the victim refused the suspect's effort to kiss her after he allegedly asked for coffee and food and tried to sell her some clothing.

Investigators said the suspect followed the victim to a back office where he grabbed her from behind and allegedly began choking her.

The victim complied with the man's demands for money from her wallet and the cash register. Authorities said the man pulled the woman out the front door of the hotel, but she was able to escape.

The suspect took off with nearly $300 cash when the victim started banging on hotel room doors, according to police.

Investigators traced the suspect to a home on Venture Way, just outside of the city and about a mile from the crime. It was there they arrested Ernest Cooper.

He is charged with robbery by force, aggravated assault, kidnapping, false imprisonment, battery, and two counts of theft by taking.