A St. Joseph man has been charged in connection with a carjacking last week at U.S. Oil in midtown that resulted in the death of a 77-year-old man.

Paul Albert Belding, 27 is charged in Buchanan County with a felony for second-degree murder in connection with the death of Richard Marion Gray of St. Joseph.

The prosecutor’s office said Belding is charged with causing Gray’s death by causing head injuries to the victim while stealing the victim’s van.  The charge carries a punishment range of 10 to 30 years or life in prison.  85-percent of any sentence is required to be served before becoming eligible for parole.

According to court documents, on June 13 Belding fled from the Community Supervision Center at Probation and Parole located in the 3300 block of Faraon St. and was seen on video surveillance from U.S. Oil and Domino’s at 22nd and Messanie Streets where video footage recorded the theft of the van owned by the victim.

“Following a struggle between the victim and the suspect.  The defendant fled the scene in the stolen van and caused the victim to be thrown from the van and suffer serious head injuries,” said Det. C. Davis with the St. Joseph Police Department. “According to statements taken from witnesses, the defendant committed the carjacking that led to this death.”

Belding had an active felony warrant from probation and parole when he was arrested.  Davis said Belding also has an extensive criminal history including convictions for drugs, assault, and stealing of a motor-vehicle.

“He has arrests for drugs, parole violation, property damage, failure to appear, stealing of a M/V, domestic assault, stealing M/V parts, assault 2nd, and possession of a gambling device,” Davis said.

Court document said Gray died over the weekend from head injuries he sustained after being drug by a vehicle.

An arraignment has been scheduled for Friday at 8:15 a.m.  Bail for Belding has been set at $150,000 cash only.