MUNCIE, IN —A Muncie man was being held without bond in the Delaware County Jail after he allegedly tried to hold up a local tobacco shop while armed with a knife.
Stanley Frederick Taylor, 37, was held on suspicion of robbery while armed with a deadly weapon and resisting law enforcement.
According to an affidavit, Taylor entered the Royal Smoke Shop, 101E. Memorial Drive, on Sunday, Oct. 5, went behind the counter and demanded cash from the store’s safe.
According to a witness, Taylor told a clerk, “Are we going to do this the easy way or the hard way? I’m getting this money.”
The witness told Muncie police when he looked at the clerk, she whispered, “Help me!”
The witness said he then stepped outside and asked another person to call 911, according to the affidavit.
Taylor reportedly struggled with police when they arrived at the scene.
During a later interview at City Hall, Taylor reportedly acknowledged he had demanded cash from the store clerk.
The affidavit said the Muncie man had told officers he was armed with a knife at the time of the incident but did not display the weapon.
Delaware County Prosecutor Eric Hoffman’s office will determine whether formal charges will be filed against Taylor. Robbery while armed with a deadly weapon is a Level 3 felony carrying up to 16 years in prison.
Court records reflect no prior convictions for Taylor in Indiana.
Douglas Walker is a news reporter at The Star Press. Contact him at 765-213-5851 or at dwalker@muncie.gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on Muncie Star Press: Police say Muncie man held in tobacco store robbery
Reporting by Douglas Walker, Muncie Star Press / Muncie Star Press
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