Two charged with robbery

BENTON --Two Missouri teenagers are formally charged following Wednesday's armed robbery near Benton.

Michael C. Schneider, 19, of Rosendale and Nicole M. Nichols, 17, of Gower are charged with robbery in the first degree and armed criminal action, according to a news release from Scott County Sheriff Rick Walter.

About 7:20 p.m. Wednesday, Schneider entered a convenience store near Benton and demanded cash from the attendant, threatening her with gun and escaping with some cash, Walter said. The clerk observed Schneider getting in to a white vehicle occupied by Nichols, and as it fled the scene the clerk obtained a partial license plate number, description and direction of travel.

Nicole Nichols

Nicole Nichols

Deputies searched the area and alerted the Missouri State Highway Patrol. Shortly after 8 p.m., the Missouri Highway Patrol advised they were in pursuit of the vehicle along with Perryville and Perry County officers.

At the 130 mile marker on northbound Interstate 55 in Perry County, officers used stop sticks to deflate the vehicle's tires. Schneider and Nichols were taken into custody.

The vehicle and two firearms inside the vehicle, one of which was used in the robbery, were reported stolen from Andrew County on Dec. 8.

Bond is set at $50,000 each. The couple is in custody at the Scott County Jail awaiting arraignment.