MAPLEWOOD, MO (KTVI-FOX2Now.com) -
Relief in Maplewood and Rock Hill after a man accused in two different armed robberies is arrested. Investigators tell us the suspect has admitted to the two robberies. The clerk in one of the cases says he feared for his life and is thankful the suspect has been arrested.
"It is a big relief you know- I know the guy is not going to come back or anything," said 23 year old Pat Patterson about Carlos Strickland being in custody.
Investigators tell us the 23 year old Strickland has confessed to robbing the Conoco on Big Bend in Maplewood at gunpoint back on October 17th.
Patterson is a clerk at the Conoco and was working at the time. He says Strickland pointed a sawed off shotgun at his face and demanded cash. Pat gave the money to him and prayed he wouldn't be shot.
"Just working your job you don't expect to turn around and have somebody just holding a gun in your face and I mean it was just basically shock," explained Patterson.
Investigators say Strickland had pink gloves on and had a bandana over his face as he entered the Conoco on Big Bend.
And that apparently wasn't the only Conoco that Patterson robbed that night. Investigators say he has also confessed to robbing a Conoco on Manchester Road in Rock Hill shortly before the Maplewood robbery.
Police say the surveillance photo from the camera inside the Maplewood Conoco brought in tips that helped them identify Strickland.
Pat is now watching customers a little more closely.
"I just make sure when somebody walks in that I, you know, get a look at themÂ…Whenever somebody walks in I just make sure I see them as they walk in instead of after, you know, they're at the counter," explained Patterson.
Strickland is charged with robbery first degree, attempted robbery first degree and two counts of armed criminal action.
He is jailed on a $100,000 bond.
Investigators say Strickland was actually arrested last Friday but they're only releasing the information now because they were checking to see if anyone else was involved.
Nobody else has been charged.
"It is a big relief you know- I know the guy is not going to come back or anything," said 23 year old Pat Patterson about Carlos Strickland being in custody.
Investigators tell us the 23 year old Strickland has confessed to robbing the Conoco on Big Bend in Maplewood at gunpoint back on October 17th.
Patterson is a clerk at the Conoco and was working at the time. He says Strickland pointed a sawed off shotgun at his face and demanded cash. Pat gave the money to him and prayed he wouldn't be shot.
"Just working your job you don't expect to turn around and have somebody just holding a gun in your face and I mean it was just basically shock," explained Patterson.
Investigators say Strickland had pink gloves on and had a bandana over his face as he entered the Conoco on Big Bend.
And that apparently wasn't the only Conoco that Patterson robbed that night. Investigators say he has also confessed to robbing a Conoco on Manchester Road in Rock Hill shortly before the Maplewood robbery.
Police say the surveillance photo from the camera inside the Maplewood Conoco brought in tips that helped them identify Strickland.
Pat is now watching customers a little more closely.
"I just make sure when somebody walks in that I, you know, get a look at themÂ…Whenever somebody walks in I just make sure I see them as they walk in instead of after, you know, they're at the counter," explained Patterson.
Strickland is charged with robbery first degree, attempted robbery first degree and two counts of armed criminal action.
He is jailed on a $100,000 bond.
Investigators say Strickland was actually arrested last Friday but they're only releasing the information now because they were checking to see if anyone else was involved.
Nobody else has been charged.
