Names released in fatal Waterloo robbery

UPDATE: Names have now been released of the two would-be robbers who were killed this morning after they flashed guns while entering the East 4th St Liquor Store, at 1027 East 4th St, Waterloo.

Police say Robert Maurice Bolden, 21, of Waterloo died at the scene. Antonio McNeal Sproles, 21, of Waterloo was taken by ambulance to Allen Memorial Hospital, where he pronounced dead.

The clerk, Johnny Lee Sanders, 65, of Waterloo was not injured. He was taken to the Waterloo Police Department, where a statement was taken.

Police say Bolden and Sproles arrived around 2 a.m. when Sanders was getting ready to close.  The men came in with guns and Sanders shot them, according to investigators.

"The clerk was getting ready to close and two suspects burst in with guns and attempted to rob the place and the clerk was armed and returned fire and ultimately killed both suspects," said Waterloo Police Chief Dan Trelka.

Police say Sanders saw the men come in and grabbed a .44 caliber handgun.  He shot both men, according to police.  One fell immediately inside the store; the other stumbled to get away but then fell at the entrance of the store.

Waterloo Police Captain Tim Pillack said the men clearly wanted to rob the store, and cited the fact that their mouths were covered with bandanas and refused to leave when the clerk told them to.

Initial investigation shows charges against Sanders are unlikely. Pillack said it seemed his actions were justified.

At 5:30 a.m., the body of one of the men still laid at the entrance to the store, covered by a white sheet.  EMT crews removed the body minutes later.

This store has been the site of several armed robberies in the recent past.  Trelka said a notable case was in late December, 2009.  A clerk was shot and wounded in that robbery.

Trelka said it's not common for clerks to carry weapons, but he said it is permitted by Iowa law.