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Benton man arrested after burning vehicles and attempting to shoot corrections officer
CHARLESTON, Mo. — A Benton man has been arrested in Mississippi County and faces numerous charges after setting fire to a truck he was test driving and trying to shoot a corrections officer.
According to a release from Mississippi County Sheriff Brandon Caid, Dustin Robinson 32, is charged with two counts of first degree arson, second degree burglary, two counts of tampering with a motor vehicle in the first degree, two counts of knowing burning, two counts of first degree property damage, second degree assault, disarming a corrections officer, first degree kidnapping and first degree burglary.
Caid said Robinson was in Mississippi County driving a truck that he had taken for a test drive but failed to return. Robinson ended up at a residence on County Road 212 near Highway J outside of Charleston where he used an excavator to destroy the truck before setting it on fire.
Caid stated Robinson then set the residence on fire along with a large shop building containing a passenger car and other equipment. Later, Robinson forced a motorist to drive him to the Missouri State Highway Patrol Weigh Station located off of Interstate 57, threatening the driver harm if he refused. He then stole items from the motorists vehicle before jumping out.
Robinson then attempted to enter the Weigh Station, however, he was confronted by employees and fled into a nearby field where he was located and detained.
Caid said that after being transported to the Mississippi County Detention Center Robinson became combative and was able to disarm a correctional officer of his taser and attempted to shoot the officer. Caid said that the officer was not injured and Robinson was successfully restrained by officers without further incident.
Robinson remains in custody on a $325,000 cash only bond.