Charged in holdup attempt

Drug charges follow woman's death

A Jefferson City man has been charged with attempted armed robbery of a local business, as well as several unrelated drug charges in an incident that resulted in a woman's death.

As of Monday afternoon, Michael Baker, 40, was being held in the Cole County Jail on $25,000 bond.

Baker has been charged with first-degree attempted armed robbery, tampering with physical evidence and possession of a controlled substance - all three of which are felonies - along with endangering the welfare of a child and possession of drug paraphernalia, both of which are misdemeanors.

Just before 1 a.m. Saturday, a robbery was reported at JC Mart on West Dunklin Street, where witnesses said a man entered the business armed with a handgun, according to Jefferson City police. Witnesses said the man pointed the firearm at them and requested money. He later fled the scene without any money.

When he demanded employees give him money, the employees told the man the money was in the safe. He then demanded cigarettes. "I don't want to shoot anyone," he told the employees.

Officers noticed while watching a store security system video that the suspect had covered his face with a plastic bag, but was wearing a tennis shoe with a distinct pattern and color.

On Sunday, police received a call at Baker's Union Street address about a woman in medical distress.

When officers arrived on the scene, a witness told police they had heard Baker yelling in a back bedroom and found him trying to perform CPR on an unresponsive woman in a bed. The witness also said he saw Baker place evidence down the vent to the home's central air system.

When questioned by police, Baker admitted to buying a Fentanyl patch from an unknown individual, and that he and the woman had heated the Fentanyl on a spoon and injected it with a needle.

Baker told police a child under age 17, and diagnosed with autism, was in bed with Baker and the woman when they injected the Fentanyl. Baker said the narcotics caused him to nod off and he awoke to find the woman unresponsive. She was later pronounced dead.

During the investigation Sunday, Baker showed officers where he hid the patch and needle in the basement. While at the house, officers also found shoes identical to those seen in the armed robbery video. Baker also had a coat resembling one worn by the suspect was wearing.

During questioning by authorities, Baker admitted he was drunk and tried to rob the store. 

He said he borrowed a gun from a friend and left without any items because he was scared. He also admitted he was wearing the coat and shoes officers had seen in the store video.