Sikeston man convicted in Miner armed robbery

CHARLESTON, Mo. -- A Sikeston, Mo., man will be sentenced Dec. 13 after he was found guilty Monday of first-degree attempted robbery.

Tommy Cassel, 36, could face up to 30 years in prison for the October 2010 attempted robbery at Break Time in Miner, Mo. He was found guilty in a bench trial Monday before Judge David Dolan following a change of venue from Scott County.

According to a news release from the office of Scott County Prosecuting Attorney Paul Boyd, Cassel entered the Break Time convenience store at 11:34 p.m. Oct. 13, 2010. He immediately approached the only store clerk demanding money and threatening to kill her with a gun.

"To her credit, she challenged him in a passive way attempting to stall for time to deter the robbery," Boyd said. "While he continued to threaten her and tell her to hurry up, he had his finger in the pocket of his hoodie acting as if he had a real gun."

Once the clerk opened the register, Cassel used the same hand that he was pretending was a gun to grab the money. When the clerk saw he did not have a gun, she immediately slammed the cash register drawer shut and told him she was calling the police, Boyd said.

Cassel left the store, fleeing westbound in a red Caprice.

Miner police officer Kevin Harris responded to Break Time after receiving the 911 call. He put out a notice to other agencies describing the suspect and the suspect's car.

Sikeston Department of Public Safety officer Brian DeLisle saw the vehicle westbound on Malone Avenue in Sikeston and followed it. According to Boyd, Cassel took off at a high speed, running the red light at Main Street and Malone Avenue.

Boyd said Cassel led Sikeston, highway patrol and New Madrid County officers on a 30-mile chase that ended when Cassel ran his car into a ditch near Portageville, Mo.

Cassel ran from his vehicle and was chased down by the Sikeston's canine officer Eros.

Cassel admitted to police that he attempted to rob the Break Time and that he had acted like he had a gun.

During the bench trial, a video from the store was played showing Cassel acting like he had a gun. During the video Cassel could be heard threatening the clerk, demanding money from her and telling her he had a gun.

He also praised the teamwork and bravery of the area law enforcement officers.

Assistant prosecutor Andrew Lawson helped Boyd in the case. According to Lawson, attempted first-degree robbery usually carries from five to 15 years in prison, but Cassel faces five to 30 years because of prior felony convictions.

Pertinent address:

Sikeston, MO