Police: Man charged after weeks-long crime spree across Springfield
The woman was putting her groceries inside her vehicle at the Walmart on Campbell Avenue when a man in a dark hooded sweatshirt grabbed her, threw her to the ground and said, "Give me your purse."
According to court documents, the woman initially refused and the man, whom police have since identified as Justin M. Russell, dragged her to the front of the car, put his boot on her face and yelled, "Give me your purse or I'm gonna shoot you."
On Friday, Greene County prosecutors charged Russell, 27, with five counts of felony robbery, one count of felony burglary and a felony count of tampering.
Russell's victims were often women who were alone at night outside commercial shopping centers, according to court documents. Court documents say that on several occasions, Russell would point his gun in his victim's face before demanding her purse.
"Defendant is a prior and persistent offender and has now allegedly committed multiple new felonies including 5 first degree robberies in which what appeared to be a deadly weapon was either displayed or threatened," prosecutors wrote in requesting a $250,000 bond for Russell.
While collecting evidence, police found a silver gun, matching the description of the weapon used in several of the robberies, inside a backpacking belonging to Russell.
The gun "appeared to be real" but was actually a BB gun, according to court documents.
Russell's use of stolen credit cards helped police identify him, court documents show. Court documents also show police were also able to gather evidence against Russell by finding stolen goods in the possession of his friends and acquaintances.
Russell is currently on felony parole for prior convictions, including distribution of a controlled substance, burglary and forgery, according to court documents.
An attorney for Russell was not listed Friday afternoon.