Robbery suspects waive preliminary hearing

By Kevin Jenkins | July 1, 2014 |

Two convenience store robbery suspects have waived their rights to a preliminary hearing.

Michael Christian Tanner and Jackie Tyler Sutton, each of Annapolis, had court appearances scheduled last week. They each waived their rights to a preliminary hearing.

Associate Circuit Court Judge Wendy Wexler Horn denied Tanner’s motion for a bond reduction. His bond remains at $200,000.

Both cases were then moved up to the circuit court level with a court date before Circuit Court Judge Sandy Martinez Aug. 1.

Tanner and Sutton are charged with first-degree robbery and armed criminal action in connection with an armed robbery at Sherry’s Quick Mart in Doe Run in April.

According to court records,Tanner entered Sherry’s Quick Mart on Highway 221 while Sutton stayed in the vehicle. Tanner confessed to pointing Sutton’s loaded 22-caliber rifle at the clerk and demanding money. The clerk gave the man the money but the panic alarm was hit. Witnesses were able to provide a description of the vehicle.

Deputies from St. Francois County, Ironton, and Iron County immediately began looking for the suspect vehicle, which had headed to Iron County on Highway 221.

At 12:44 a.m. an officer with Ironton Police Department, with the assistance of Iron County, stopped a vehicle matching the description and held the two suspects for St. Francois County.

The gun and stolen money were found inside the vehicle. Both men confessed to their involvement.