Five arrests made in recent armed robberies

(COLUMBIA, MO) -

Columbia Police Detectives have arrested five suspects in connection to the recent armed robberies targeting college-aged males. Those arrested include: Deandre Lavelle Denny, 19, Darion Martel Polk, 21, Christion Deangelo Johnson, 17, Richard Johnson, Jr., 22, all of Columbia, and Ashley Aubrey, 20, of Pilot Grove, Missouri.

During the course of investigation, Detectives with the Criminal Investigations Division conducted 11 interviews with witnesses and the suspects. All five suspects were apprehended between 3:00 p.m. on 7/20/16 and early this morning. At approximately 11:38 p.m. on 7/20/16, officers served a search warrant at 1416 Greensboro Drive for evidence related to the robberies. Officers located several items that could be property obtained illegally as a result of the robberies. Detectives are working to contact victims in these cases to ensure the property is returned.

The following are brief synopses of the included incidents and those involved:

• 2016-007818: Armed robbery that occurred on 7/12/16 at 12:55 a.m. in the alley behind Gunter Hans, 7 Hitt Street. Denny, Polk, and C. Johnson were identified as the suspects who committed the robbery. Aubrey provided a ride for the suspects to and from the committed robbery.
• 2016-007673: Armed robbery that occurred on 7/12/16 at 1:31 a.m. at 2900 Old Highway 63 South, Campus Lodge. Denny, Polk, and C. Johnson were identified as the suspects who committed the robbery. Aubrey provided a ride for the suspects to and from the committed robbery.
• 2016-007705: Armed robbery that occurred on 7/12/16 at approximately 10:55 p.m. in the area of Locust Street and Waugh Street. Denny, Polk, and C. Johnson were identified as the suspects who committed the robbery. Aubrey provided a ride for the suspects to and from the committed robbery.
• 2016-007707: Armed robbery that occurred on 7/12/16 at approximately 11:45 p.m. in the 1300 block of Wilkes Boulevard. Denny, Polk, and C. Johnson were identified as the suspects who committed the robbery. Aubrey provided a ride for the suspects to and from the committed robbery.
• 2016-007820: Suspicious incident that occurred on 7/16/16 at 1:26 a.m. in the area of Tenth Street and Cherry Street. Polk engaged in a verbal argument with a male victim. During the argument, Polk displayed a firearm in a threatening manner. Polk then placed the firearm in a nearby vehicle and proceeded to strike the victim multiple times with his fists. The victim sustained bruising and swelling as a result of the assault.
• 2016-007856: Armed robbery that occurred on 7/16/16 at approximately 11:04 p.m. in the area of Bear Creek Trail and Providence Road North. Denny, Polk, C. Johnson, and R. Johnson, Jr. were identified as the suspects who committed the robbery.

On 7/20/16 at approximately 3:27 p.m., detectives with the Street Crimes Unit were in the area of International Drive near Highway 763 North looking for suspects in relation to this investigation. Detectives made contact with a vehicle in the area and observed Denny, R. Johnson, Jr., and Polk as occupants of the vehicle. Detectives located a concealed firearm on Denny's person, as well as a baggie of marijuana in Denny's pocket. Denny is a convicted felon. Detectives also located a baggie of marijuana on R. Johnson, Jr.'s person, and a digital scale under the seat where R. Johnson, Jr. was seated. R. Johnson, Jr. had outstanding misdemeanor warrants.

Deandre Denny was arrested on 7/20/16 at 3:28 p.m. in the area of International Drive and Highway 763 North for five (5) counts of Robbery in the First Degree with a bond to be set by the Court, five (5) counts of Armed Criminal Action with a bond to be set by the Court, Felony Possession of Certain Weapons Prohibited with a bond of $4,500.00, and Misdemeanor Possession of a Controlled Substance with a bond of $500.00.  

Darion Polk was arrested on 7/20/16 at 3:27 p.m. in the area of International Drive and Highway 763 North for six (6) counts of Armed Criminal Action with a bond to be set by the Court, five (5) counts of Robbery in the First Degree with a bond to be set by the Court, Felony Unlawful Use of a Weapon with a bond of $4,500.00, and Felony Assault with a bond of $4,500.00.

Christion Johnson was arrested on 7/20/16 at 8:29 p.m. at 1416 Greensboro Drive for five (5) counts of Robbery in the First Degree with a bond to be set by the Court, four (4) counts of Armed Criminal Action with a bond to be set by the Court, and Misdemeanor Assault with a bond of $500.00.

Richard Johnson, Jr. was arrested on 7/20/16 at 3:28 p.m. in the area of International Drive and Highway 763 North for Robbery in the First Degree with a bond to be set by the Court, Armed Criminal Action with a bond to be set by the Court, Misdemeanor Possession of a Controlled Substance with a bond of $500.00, Misdemeanor Possession of Drug Paraphernalia with a bond of $500.00, and three (3) outstanding Misdemeanor Warrants with a total bond of $12,000.00 ($10,000.00 of which is cash-only).

Ashley Aubrey was arrested on 7/20/16 at 11:45 p.m. in the 1400 block of Greensboro Drive for four (4) counts of Robbery in the First Degree with a bond to be set by the Court and four (4) counts of Armed Criminal Action with a bond to be set by the Court.

We would like to thank the University of Missouri Police Department for their assistance in this investigation. We are very proud of the hard work completed by all detectives that made these arrests possible.  

2016-007979