Robbery suspects seized by Camdenton Police

Editor's note: Ryan Vansyoc's photo was omitted from the print and online versions of this story. He was the fourth suspect charged with first degree robbery.

A car pulled over for driving without headlights netted the Camdenton Police Department three armed robbery suspects.

According to the department press release, at about 8:15 p.m., officers pulled over the 2001 Chevrolet Malibu and observed that the three men in the vehicle matched the descriptions of an armed robbery reported nearby.

The men, Evon M. Smith, 18, of Maryland Heights, Mo., Michael D. Tate, 19, of St. Louis, and LaByron S. Jackson, 18, of St. Pierce, Ill., were taken into custody, after which a handgun was found lying under the driver’s seat and about one pound of marijuana.

The alleged victim, Jacob M. Strickland, 18 of Tunas, Mo., told police that the three men robbed him at gunpoint and took his money.

Ryan R. Vansyoc, 18, of Camdenton, was later identified as a fourth suspect, who is said to have arranged the meeting between the suspects and victim for the purchase of drugs.

After being placed on a 24-hour hold, the four suspects were charged with first degree robbery with $50,000 surety bond or $2,500 cash bond.

Strickland was charged with possession of a controlled substance with the intention of distribution with a $100,000 surety bond or $6,000 cash bond.
 

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