Suspect waives preliminary

BENTON (SMNS) - A man accused of robbing a Scott County gas station waived his preliminary hearing Wednesday and was bound over to circuit court.

Robert L. Bom, 44, of rural Benton was charged with first-degree robbery for the April 26 heist of Express Fuel, on Highway 77 near Benton. He is accused of implying he had a gun and threatening the lives of gas station attendants, Scott County Sheriff Rick Walter said.

Bom, who has 13 prior convictions, was arrested shortly after the robbery when officers recognized a description of him, according to Walter.

The defendant was being held in lieu of a $1 million bond.