A St. Joseph man has been charged after using a meat cleaver to rob a smoke shop earlier this month.

According to Capt. Jeff Wilson with the St. Joseph Police Department, 46-year-old Nick A. Avila was charged with first degree robbery.

As previously reported, officers responded on the afternoon of January 11th to MSA Smoke Shop and Groceries at North Belt Highway and County Line Road. Avila reportedly entered the shop with a meat cleaver and demanded money from the clerk. Money from the drawer and a couple items were taken from the store.  No one was injured in the incident.

According to online court documents, Avila is being held on $50,000 bond. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for February 1st.