(COLUMBIA, MO) -
ARMED ROBBERY AT CASEY'S GENERAL STORE
On 11/3/14 at 10:44 P.M., officers were dispatched to 3905 Clark Lane, Casey's General Store, in reference to a robbery.
Investigation revealed a male suspect wearing dark clothing and a ski-mask entered the store with a handgun and demanded money from the register and safe. The suspect then fled on foot from the store.
At 10:52 P.M., Highway Patrol observed a male subject who matched the description of the suspect in the robbery in the back seat of a Ford Taurus traveling north on Ballenger Lane. A traffic stop was initiated and the suspect fled from the vehicle. The suspect was seen throwing an item into a wooded area while he ran. A pursuit ensued with the assistance of the K-9 Unit. Officers located the item which was identified as the ski-mask used during the robbery.
Still present in the vehicle was the driver, identified as Tyrel Lemley, 29, and a passenger, identified as Kristina Whitmarsh, 25, both from Columbia. A short time later, officers located the suspect a short distance from the traffic stop hiding near an air conditioning unit. The suspect was identified as Laith Meeker, 24, from Columbia.
All three were transported to the Columbia Police Department for questioning. Post Miranda, Whitmarsh and Lemley made implicating statements regarding their participation in the robbery.
Lemley was arrested for robbery in the first degree with a to be set bond.
Whitmarsh was arrested for robbery in the first degree with a to be set bond.
Meeker was arrested for armed criminal action with a to be set bond, for robbery in the first degree with a to be set bond, for felony resisting arrest with a bond of $4,500.00, for a felony warrant with a bond of $5,000.00, and for a probation violation warrant.
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