First of two robbery suspects sentenced

One of two Jefferson City men arrested after a robbery in the Capital City in October 2016 has been sentenced to 10 years in prison.

A Cole County jury in March found Kane Carpenter, 18, guilty of first-degree robbery. He was sentenced Wednesday by Cole County Presiding Judge Pat Joyce.

The other defendant in this case, Robert Scott, 20, was found guilty of one count of first-degree robbery during a bench trial before Joyce in March. He is scheduled to be sentenced Friday.

Officers responded to a robbery in the area of Capitol Avenue and Lafayette Street, according to a Jefferson City Police Department probable cause statement.

The victim said he was walking in the area when he was approached by two men who asked to use his cellphone. When he refused, one of the suspects threatened the victim and implied he had a gun, demanding his possessions. The victim handed the suspects his iPhone and electronic cigarette, and the suspects fled the area.

Responding officers contacted the victim, who provided a description of both suspects. Other officers canvassed the area and located Carpenter and Scott, who matched the suspect descriptions, a short distance away at Cherry Street and Commercial Way. Both men were identified as the suspects and were taken into custody, and the stolen iPhone was recovered. No weapon was found on or near the suspects. The victim was not harmed during the robbery.