Robbery suspect turns self in
Surveillance images spurred the suspect to come forward.
Published Oct. 8, 2010
Jermaine Thompson turned himself in to the Columbia Police Department this week for the Sept. 27 robbery of Casey’s General Store on Paris Road.
During the robbery, the suspect entered Casey’s shortly before 9 p.m. and ordered the clerk in the back to quietly fill his bag with money. He showed the clerk a black handgun in his pocket and made off with an undisclosed amount of money.
Surveillance images from the incident were released Oct. 1, and Thompson turned himself in to CPD on Oct. 3.
CPD spokeswoman Jessie Haden said the images had a large part in convincing Thompson to come forward.
“After the surveillance images were released, people Thompson knew recognized him and said something to him about it,” Haden said. “I think common sense said it was just a matter of time before we came looking for him.”
Haden said CPD called in an investigator to interview Thompson, and he gave incriminating statements.
Thompson, 20, was arrested for first-degree robbery and transferred to the Boone County Jail on Oct 4. He has since been released on bond.
Haden said even though she is unsure whether Thompson turning himself in will help him later on, CPD makes it a point to note when suspects are cooperative.
“In the legal system, prosecutors and judges certainly have a range of options when it comes to punishment,” Haden said. “But if suspects are cooperative, we definitely make it a point to include that in the report. We want to let people in the legal system know that a suspect was cooperative with law enforcement.”
Haden said it's a comfort when suspects turn themselves in, especially to those working similar convenience store jobs.
“We hate that this happened to the people involved, but we’re also very appreciative that he did the right thing,” she said. “It saves us time and money, and it makes people much more comfortable to know this has been resolved.”