Charges filed in truck stop robbery
Prosecutors with the Yuma County Attorney’s Office filed a criminal complaint Wednesday against the 23-year-old Yuma man who was arrested in connection to the armed robbery of a Foothills truck stop on Sunday night.
During his arraignment hearing in Yuma Justice Court, Jimmy Lee McMullin was informed by Justice of the Peace Greg Stewart that he was being charged with one count of armed robbery and one count of aggravated assault, both of which are felonies.
When bond was addressed, the public defender who was assisting McMullin requested he be released under the supervision of pretrial services, or lower the $200,000 bail to an amount that his client could more realistically afford to pay.
Stewart, however, denied the request, explaining that the probation department had notified the court McMullin was on probation at the time he was charged with the new offenses. As such, a petition to revoke his probation is being filed, which would make him ineligible to be released.
He then scheduled McMullin’s next court appearance for 4 p.m. on Nov. 29, for a preliminary hearing, saying the case will likely go before the grand jury before then.
According to the Yuma County Sheriffs Office, deputies responded to the Flying J Travel Plaza, located at 10800 E. North Frontage Road, at about 10:30 p.m. in reference to a report of an armed robbery.
Upon arrival, deputies learned that an unknown male suspect — wearing all black clothing and armed with a large knife — entered the store, jumped over the counter, stuck the knife in the side of the cashier, and demanded money.
The cashier cooperated with the robber’s demand and was uninjured. The suspect then fled the business with an undisclosed amount of money.
The YCSO Criminal Investigation Bureau responded to the scene and assumed the investigation.
During the investigation, detectives located evidence that led them to a home in the 10700 Block of South Amber Drive, where the suspect was located and taken into custody.
The suspect was later identified as McMullin. He was arrested on charges of armed robbery and aggravated assault and booked into Yuma County jail.
Anyone with information regarding this case is asked to contact the Yuma County Sheriff’s Office at 928-783-4427 or 78-CRIME to remain anonymous. You can also visit www.yumacountysheriff.org to submit an anonymous tip.