Probation granted for 2016 robbery

One of two Jefferson City men arrested after a robbery in October 2016 has been placed on five years of supervised probation for his role in the case.

If Robert Scott, 20, is found to violate his probation, he would face a 10-year prison sentence, Cole County Presiding Judge Pat Joyce said during a Friday hearing.

Scott was found guilty of one count of first-degree robbery during a bench trial before Joyce in March.

A Cole County jury in March found the other defendant in this case, Kane Carpenter, 18, guilty of first-degree robbery. Joyce sentenced him Wednesday to 10 years in prison.

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.

In an unrelated case, Joyce ordered Scott to serve a 30-day jail sentence, with credit for time served, per a plea agreement with prosecutors office for pleading guilty to December 2017 resisting arrest charge for fleeing from police.

Scott was a passenger in a vehicle stopped in 100 block of West Tanner Way, according to a JCPD probable cause statement.

Court records show Scott had three outstanding warrants for his arrest at the time — a municipal warrant and two Cole County warrants related to assault and dangerous drugs.

As officers tried to handcuff Scott as he exited the vehicle, he attempted to run away. An officer was able to get control of Scott and eventually took him into custody.

Authorities said Scott is known to associate with gang members and was on a pre-trial release program from Cole County at the time of this arrest.