A man from Columbia was arrested Sunday, June 23, 2019, on suspicion of felony robbery. The robbery allegedly occurred over the sale of a PlayStation gaming console.

A spokesperson from the Columbia Police Department, Jeff Pitts, stated that Marquan Dejuan Pitre, age 18, traveled to the alleged victim's home that day to purchase the PlayStation console. As the owner of the console was plugging it in to prove that it worked, he suddenly felt a sharp electrical pain in his body. The victim and Pitre struggled with one another, and Pitre allegedly left with items from the home.

The allegations against Pitre continue, stating that after about 20 minutes he returned with a female accomplice, A.M., age 19, also of Columbia. She was also arrested on suspicion of first-degree robbery. At this point, Pitre allegedly entered the home for the second time and stole a laptop computer. The laptop was later found abandoned in a ditch.

Pitre allegedly admitted to smashing windows out of a vehicle later in the same day on Paris Road in order to commit another theft.

Robbery Charges in Missouri

Like Pitre and A.M. in the story above, those that commit a theft type offense and meet other certain requirements could be charged with a serious felony called robbery. Robbery occurs in two forms and when serious injury is caused, it could result in a first-degree robbery charge.

If a person commits certain acts while committing a taking, this can be a first-degree robbery charge. These include:

• causing serious physical injury to any person,
• being armed with a deadly weapon,
• using or threatening the immediate use of a dangerous instrument against any person,
• displaying or threatening the use of what appears to be a deadly weapon or dangerous instrument, or
• stealing any controlled substance from a pharmacy.

Taser Attack During a Robbery

In the story above, the sharp electrical shock felt by the alleged victim likely came from some sort of "taser" or stun gun, devices that are designed to put an electrical current through the body of a person. A taser is not listed in the statutory definition of a "deadly weapon," but could be considered a "dangerous instrument."

A dangerous instrument is "any instrument, article or substance, which, under the circumstances in which it is used, is readily capable of causing death or other serious physical injury." An electrical shock has the capacity to cause serious injury or death. As such, a court could consider it a "dangerous instrument" subjecting you to increased penalties under a first-degree robbery charge.

Consult an Experienced Missouri Criminal Defense Attorney

If you face the possibility of a first-degree robbery charge, you could be facing decades in a Missouri prison. You need to fight for your rights with everything you have. Joshua Wilson is an experienced criminal defense attorney who can help you defend your case and your constitutional rights.

Contact the Joshua Wilson Law Firm by calling (816) 331-9968 or fill out our online form.