Stevens charged with robbery, other crimes, Taken into custody after standoff in Springfield

A Springfield man is currently being held in the Lawrence County Jail on a $175,000 bond after being charged with first-degree burglary, first-degree robbery and armed criminal action.
According to the probable cause statement filed in the case, the victim, who lives in Marionville, had been accused by Brandon DuBois, also a suspect in the case, of i n a p p r o p r i ately touching DuBois’s girlfriend. Leslie Stevens, the father of DuBois’s girlfriend, came to the victim’s home on Tuesday, April 2, with a handgun. The probable cause statement said “the man” (it didn’t indicate whether it was Stevens or DuBois) stuck the gun into the victim’s side and told the victim he could make it all go away if he went to the bank and got him $4,000.
DuBois, of Marionville, said he would drive the victim to the bank in his girlfriend’s car. When they returned with the money, the victim went to his room and tried to go to bed. Stevens, 47, according to the statement, entered the victim’s room and told him to get out of bed and on his knees; he then stuck a gun in the victim’s mouth and asked where his safe was. When the victim told him, Stevens struck the victim with the gun, checked the safe and left. The victim told investigators that he was told Stevens would shoot him if he got police involved. The victim said the incident was the first time he’d ever seen or met Stevens.
 The probable cause statement said bank footage showed the girlfriend’s car arriving at the bank and the victim getting out. After 10 minutes, DuBois, 33, got out, checked around the side of the building and then waited for the victim to exit. The footage showed the victim exiting with an envelope. The statement also said the victim’s bank statement showed a withdraw transaction on April 2 at 4:31 p.m.
The Lawrence County investigator attempted to speak with Stevens at his home on Thursday, April 18. He said Stevens stood in his doorway, said he would not speak with him, and demanded the investigator get off his property.
Stevens was charged with the crimes on Friday, April 19. On Wednesday, April 24, deputy U.S. Marshals and members of the Springfield Police Department surrounded Stevens’ house. After Stevens refused to come out, the Springfield Police-Special Response Team also responded. Stevens surrendered after a three-hour standoff.
The probable cause statement said the victim picked Stevens out of a lineup. Stevens is described as standing 6’1” and weighing 350 pounds.
As of press time, DuBois remained at large; like Stevens, he is charged with first-degree burglary, first-degree robbery and armed criminal action. Anyone with knowledge of his whereabouts is asked to call the Lawrence County Sheriff’s office at (417)466-2131.
 

Category:

Lawrence County Record

312 S. Hickory St.
Mt. Vernon, MO, 65712
www.lawrencecountyrecord.com

Facebook

Please Login for Premium Content