Robbery suspect in custody

Maryville Public Safety Director Keith Wood issued a statement Saturday saying that officers have arrested a suspect in connection with an armed robbery that took place March 10 at the Dollar General Store on North Main Street.

Wood said Nodaway County Prosecuting Attorney Robert Rice has filed charges of first-degree robbery and armed criminal action against James Meredith, 19, of Ewing.

In a separate arrest, Wood said Jeremy Shelton, 32, St. Joseph, has been arrested on charges related to the theft of one of four vehicles stolen locally over the past few weeks.

Wood said the investigation is continuing with regard to the other three thefts in addition to a series of recent vehicle break-ins.

"I am proud of the investigative work put in by the entire department that has brought us to this point. The officers' efforts are to be commended." Wood said.

Meredith is accused of being the man who, after covering his face with bandanas, entered the discount retail store brandishing what was apparently a semiautomatic handgun and demanding money from a clerk, who handed over an undisclosed sum.

Officers from both Public Safety and the Nodaway County Sheriff's Department responded to the scene minutes after the robbery took place and cordoned off the area surrounding the store.

Clothing items resembling those worn by the suspect, who fled on foot, were found in a nearby wooded area after a police K-9 unit was brought from Savannah to aid with the search.

Nevertheless, the suspect was able to elude capture, resulting in a weeklong manhunt prior to Meredith's arrest.

Meredith remained in custody Sunday morning at the Nodaway County jail. Shelton was reportedly being held in another jurisdiction.