Police make robbery arrest near Hecker

Monroe County Sheriff’s Department deputies quickly caught up to a vehicle attempting to flee from what was called in as an armed robbery south of Hecker around 8 p.m. Thursday. Upon further investigation, the incident turned out to be a drug deal gone bad with a BB gun used as the weapon.

Charged with felony robbery in the case is Matthew T. Korves, 22, of Red Bud. Court information alleges he took a bag containing cannabis from Benjamin Huegle threatening the use of force, that being a BB gun which Monroe County Sheriff Dan Kelley said “looks like a real pistol.”

It is believed the two parties agreed to meet at a location on or near Powell Road to complete the drug transaction. Instead of paying for the cannabis, however, Korves allegedly flashed the BB gun and took the bag of weed without paying, heading north in his vehicle on Route 159.

The victim in this case reported the incident to police, but changed the story to make it appear as if it was a Craigslist sale of car speakers gone bad. A Monroe County Sheriff’s deputy patrolling the area caught up to the suspect vehicle and pulled it over, uncovering cash and cannabis inside.

Korves was arraigned at the Monroe County Courthouse on Friday afternoon, entering a not guilty plea to the felony robbery charge. His bond was set at $25,000, and an april 25 hearing date was scheduled. He remains in the Monroe County Jail.

Sheriff Kelley said further charges are pending in the case.

 

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Corey Saathoff

Corey is the editor of the Republic-Times. He has worked at the newspaper since 2004, and currently resides in Columbia. He is also the principal singer-songwriter and plays guitar in St. Louis area country-rock band The Trophy Mules.
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