PERRYVILLE – A 25-year-old homeless man has been charged with the armed robbery of a Perryville convenience store Thursday morning, September 24th.
According to a news release the suspect is Aaron Grant France, who is also known as Clayton Leon Chandler.
Police say they were dispatched to the QuickStop, 1236 W. St. Joseph Street at approximately 5:45 a.m. to investigate a report of an armed robbery.
A video camera in the store recorded the incident, showing the suspect, who concealed his face and entered the store at approximately 05:40 a.m. He displayed a long-bladed knife at the attendant, then went behind the register and took a bank bag from under the counter. The subject then fled the store, leaving in a black sedan, possibly a Nissan, toward Mo. 51.
Through investigation, a suspect was identified, and with the assistance of the Perry County Sheriff’s Office and Ste. Genevieve County Sheriff’s Office, the suspect was located, taken into custody, interviewed, and subsequently arrested.
He has been charged with three felonies: first degree robbery, armed criminal action, unlawful use of a weapon.
The suspect is being held without bond until a court hearing.
Perryville Police Chief Direk Hunt stated, “I would like to thank the Ste. Genevieve County Sheriff’s Office for its assistance in this investigation. In addition, I want to acknowledge the diligent teamwork of our patrol officers and detective who work quickly and effectively to identify the suspect and get him apprehended.”
All suspects are innocent until proven guilty.