A Jonesboro man is facing felony charges after police alleged he participated in a robbery targeting a Boy Scout’s donation table outside a Kroger grocery store.
Craighead County District Court Judge Tommy Fowler found probable cause Friday to charge Darrick Harris, 19, with aggravated robbery, a Class Y felony, and misdemeanor theft of $1,000 or less. Class Y felony convictions in Arkansas carry potential sentences of 10 to 40 years or life in prison.
According to police, Harris was one of three individuals involved in the September 12 incident. Investigators said the trio conspired to steal from a Boy Scout fundraising table. The victim and a witness told police the group initially approached the table to look it over before entering the store and exiting a short time later without making any purchases.
Police reported that Harris and another accomplice returned to their bicycles, while a third individual approached the Boy Scout. The third accomplice, authorities said, threatened the juvenile victim by claiming to have a weapon in his bag. He then grabbed a money bag containing more than $600 in donations and popcorn sale proceeds before fleeing to meet Harris and the other suspect.
Store surveillance footage reportedly captured Harris and the others at the scene. Harris was arrested after witnesses and the victim identified him, police said. He is being held on a $150,000 cash or surety bond and is scheduled to appear back in court on December 16.
In addition to the September charges, Harris is also under investigation for allegedly luring two juveniles to an apartment and robbing them at gunpoint on October 18. If convicted on the charges, Harris could face decades in the Arkansas Department of Corrections.
Law enforcement continues to investigate the case, and no additional arrests in connection with the September robbery have been announced.