A preliminary hearing is scheduled later this month for a St Joseph man accused of grabbing cash out of the register at a Buchanan County convenience store and then fleeing.

Prosecutors charged Michael Draik Ruddock with a class-C felony count described in Missouri statutes as “Physically Take Property Appropriated From Victim.” Authorities say the incident happened at the Fast Gas convenience store at U.S. highway 36 and S.E. 85th Road on Sunday March 6.

Ruddock was arrested two days later after surveillance photography of the suspect was released by the Buchanan County Sheriff’s Office.

During his first appearance Friday morning before before Judge Rebecca Spencer a preliminary hearing was scheduled March 29. Online court records do not yet reflect Mr Ruddock’s legal representation.

The defendant is currently behind bars in the Buchanan County Jail.  Bail is set at $5,000.