Springfield police said they were able to track Abston from the scene using footprints and tire tracks left in the snow following the second robbery.
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Springfield police began their investigation Tuesday night when they were called to the Shell Gas Station on South Limestone Street at around 11:30 p.m., according to an affidavit filed with the charges.
An employee told police that a man later identified as Abston came into the store and pretended to buy a drink, the affidavit says.
“(The employee) stated that when he opened the register to cash him out, the male reached over the counter and grabbed all of the $20 bills out of the drawer,” the affidavit says. “(The employee) stated that he grabbed the male by the wrist in an attempt to stop the robbery, tearing one of the $20 bills in half. The male then exited the store and got into a small red four-door sedan fleeing north on South Limestone Street.”
Officers investigated the scene and collected evidence, the affidavit says, and at around 2:30 a.m. they received another emergency call, this time from Speedway on East Main Street.
An employee said at around 2:18 a.m. a man came in and pretended to buy cigars.
“(The employee) stated that when he went to cash out the male he leaned over the counter and took two $10 bills,” the affidavit says. “The male then ran toward the exit and stated ‘I have a gun, and I will (expletive) shoot you.’”
The man then exited the store and ran away, the affidavit says. Officers were able to find footsteps in the snow that led to a spot where it appeared he had gotten in a car, the affidavit says. Officers were able to locate fresh tire tracks in the snow.
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“Officers patrolled the area and located a red 2004 Chevrolet … parked to the rear of apartments,” the affidavit says. “The vehicle was occupied by two subjects. (Officers) lit the vehicle up with their spotlight, and were approaching the vehicle. The subjects started the vehicle and fled east over the bush owned by Belmont Apartments.”
The vehicle eventually crashed at Belmont Avenue and Mound Street, where the driver then fled on foot, the affidavit says.
Officers were able to track Abston and found him hiding underneath a porch, the affidavit says. He was arrested.
The passenger identified in the report has not been charged, according to online records.
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