Suspect arrested in Brown Bag robbery

Police arrested a suspect in the deadly armed robbery that took place early Tuesday morning at the Brown Bag Video II Store in McClure, Ill.

Michael Fencil, 25, of Mounds, Ill., was arrested Tuesday night in Ottawa, Ill.

According to Mike Kessinger with the Ottawa Police Department, a witness who works at a Brown Bag Video in Ottawa recognized Fencil driving in his car. Police then initiated a traffic stop and took Fencil into custody, said Kessinger. Kessinger indicated that Fencil was known to the owners of the video store.

Alexander County State District Attorney Jeff Ferris charged Fencil with aggravated assault with a firearm, armed robbery, and first-degree murder for the shooting of Charles A. Caldwell, a Brown Bag Video Store customer who was killed in the robbery.

Fencil allegedly shot Caldwell twice, and also shot a store clerk in the arm.

By the time Illinois State Police responded to the 911 call around 1:30 a.m., the suspect had fled the scene.

Caldwell and the clerk were both transported to Saint Francis Medical Center for treatment, where Caldwell was pronounced dead on arrival in the emergency room.

Cape Girardeau Police Department, Alexander County Sheriff's Department, Illinois State Police, and Ottawa police department continue to investigate the case.

The bond for Fencil is set at $1 million dollars.

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