Two Scott City men charged with robbery, burglary, elder abuse

BENTON, Mo. -- Two Scott City men were arrested Monday, suspected of forcing their way into an elderly veteran's home Sunday and stealing money and other items from him.

Scott County Prosecuting Attorney Paul Boyd has charged the two men -- 24-year-old Logan Scott Hays and 38-year-old Ricky Lee Menz, both of 515 E. Second St. -- with robbery, burglary and elder abuse, all felonies. The victim's name and exact age was not released in a probable-cause affidavit obtained by the Southeast Missourian.

The affidavit, written by Scott City policeman Frank Stoffregen, said police found out about the robbery when the victim ran to a neighbor's house bleeding from cuts on his hand and arm.

The victim said the two men knocked on his door and pushed their way into his home, knocking him onto the floor and threatening to kill him if the man didn't give them his money, according to the affidavit.

The victim told police he knew Menz, who had performed some work for him in the past, but he didn't recognize Hays, the affidavit said.

While the victim was being interviewed another police officer stopped a truck driven by a juvenile in which Menz and Hays were passengers. Police searched the car and found the same amount of money in Hays' shoe that was missing from the victim's home, the affidavit said.

Other items also taken from the home were found later, after the truck had been towed to the police department, police said.

Scott City police chief Don Cobb said that the search of the car required the use of officers that would normally be out on patrols, so the Scott County Sheriff's Department sent officers to conduct those patrols while Scott City police were occupied.

msanders@semissourian.com

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