St. Louis teenager charged with local robbery

<p>Leland Paris</p>

Leland Paris

A St. Louis teenager has been charged in connection with a Monday night robbery in Jefferson City.

Leland Paris, 17, is charged with second-degree robbery and resisting arrest.

The robbery occurred around 11:20 p.m. at the Dunklin Stop-N-Shop in the 100 block of West Dunklin Street, according to a Jefferson City Police Department probable cause statement.

The female victim said she had gone to the gas station to purchase items when Paris approached her asking for money.

She told Paris "no" and proceeded to walk inside the business. As she came back out, she was walking toward her vehicle and again was approached by Paris and told him to stop panhandling.

At that time Paris shoved her to the ground and attacked her, taking her cellphone and keys and attempting to leave the parking lot in her vehicle.

A witness said she overheard screams from the victim and went outside to help . She said she saw Paris striking the victim in the face with a closed fist, causing her to suffer a laceration to the right side of her forehead.

Officers responded to the business and saw Paris walking away, but he began to run from the scene. Eventually he was taken into custody after a brief foot chase.

When questioned, Paris admitted to hitting the victim with his fist and kicking her while she was on the ground. He also admitted to taking the victim's phone and attempting to steal the victim's vehicle.

Court records shows Paris has a previous history of stealing-related offenses.