Cell phone sale goes awry in Charleston

CHARLESTON -- A planned sale of a cell phone didn't go well for a Perryville man.

The Charleston Department of Public Safety received a report of a robbery at 6 p.m. Tuesday on Ada Street. According to Charleston DPS Director Robert Hearnes, the victim had traveled from Perryville to sell a phone he had listed on Craigslist.

The suspect grabbed the cell phone and fled the area on foot, Hearnes said in a news release.

Based on a description of the suspect by the victim, the suspect was identified as Marquelis Andrews, 18, of Charleston and officers began to search for him, locating Andrews on South Street.

"When he was approached, he began to run. During the foot pursuit, he discarded a handgun that was later recovered," Hearnes said.

Andrews was taken into custody a short time later. The handgun he discarded was determined to have been reported stolen earlier in the month, Hearnes said.

Andrews charged with second degree robbery, receiving stolen property, resisting arrest and unlawful use of a weapon. He is currently in the Mississippi County Jail with a $50,000 cash only bond.

Hearnes said the matter is under investigation and additional charges and arrests are possible.

"The Charleston DPS would like to remind the citizens of Charleston that the DPS parking lot and lobby are available to anyone needing a safe place to make sales from online sites such as Craigslist," Hearnes added.

For this story and more, see the Thursday edition of the Standard Democrat.