Two men charged with robbery of Benton convenience store

BENTON, Mo. -- Two Haywood City, Mo., men were charged Thursday with first-degree robbery, armed criminal action and stealing in connection to a Jan. 28 Amerimart convenience store robbery in Benton. In a news release, Scott County Sheriff Rick Walter said Jim "Bug" Harris Jr., 49 and Timothy Winston, 36, were identified as suspects when investigators were working a separate felony case in the Haywood City area.

On Jan. 28, an Amerimart employee called the police and said a person entered the convenience store wearing a Halloween mask and fired a shot at the ceiling, according to Walter. The person then handed the Amerimart clerk a paper sack and demanded money. The suspect fled on foot.

Harris was also charged in February with first-degree robbery, first-degree assault and armed criminal action for the alleged beating of a pregnant 26-year-old Haywood City woman.

Jim Harris Jr.

Both men are in custody on a $25,000 bond.

Pertinent Address:

221 N Winchester, Benton, MO.