2 men arrested in Springfield gas station robberies

Jimmarko Shepherd pleaded not guilty to aggravated robbery.

Jimmarko Shepherd pleaded not guilty to aggravated robbery.

Two men were arrested in connection with a couple of Springfield gas station robberies over the past few days.

Jimmarko Shepherd, of Springfield, and Andy McConnell III, of Niagra Falls, Georgia, both 23, are charged with aggravated robbery in Clark County Municipal Court. Both pleaded not guilty on Thursday and their bonds were set at $250,000 each.

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Police began their investigation on Jan. 20 when the Lo Cost Gas Station on Selma Road was robbed, according to a police affidavit. Officers viewed surveillance video, which showed possible suspects and the suspects’ vehicle.

Police couldn’t locate the suspects, however, until on Jan. 24 when the Springfield Food Market on West North Street was robbed.

Witnesses told police that two men entered the store, allegedly pointed a handgun and took about $200 from the cash register.

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Both suspects fled on foot, the affidavit says.

Police allegedly connected the two robberies and began searching for the suspects that were on the previous surveillance video, the affidavit says. They allegedly found Shepherd and McConnell in the car that was on the video with a handgun inside, police said.

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“While interviewing Shepherd, he was read his Miranda rights and admitted to being involved in the Springfield Food Market aggravated robbery,” the affidavit alleges.

McConnell denied any involvement in either aggravated robbery, the affidavit says.

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