A St. Joseph man has been charged after the Buchanan County Sheriff’s Department released surveillance photos taken during a theft at a Fast-Gas convenience store over the weekend.

Michael Draik Ruddock, 27 is charged with a felony for physically taking property appropriated from victim.

According to court documents, Sunday just before 7 p.m. Ruddock is accused of entering the Fast Gas Conoco gas station located at 2005 S.E. 85th Road in Buchanan County.

“While in the gas station, Mr. Ruddock knowingly and physically took three (3) $20.00 bills from the cash register drawer that was being immediately tended to by the female gas station attendant,” said Investigator Michael Hess with the Buchanan County Sheriff’s Dept. “Mr. Ruddock took the $20.00 bills by reaching over the counter, into the cash register drawer, all while the cash register drawer was open and a transaction was occurring.”

Hess said Ruddock then ran from the gas station and into a nearby vehicle.

In a statement, Sheriff Mike Strong thanked the public for their assistance in the case after surveillance photos from the convenience store were released and a suspect later arrested.

Bail for Ruddock has been set at $5,000.  An arraignment is set for Friday.