On Air Now

Galesburg man facing Class X Armed Robbery charge

Bond has been set at $100,000 for a 19-year-old Galesburg man charged with several felony counts related to an armed robbery incident.

Cody J. Helms made a video appearance in Knox County Circuit Court Thursday afternoon with Judge Raymond A. Cavanaugh.

Cavanaugh informed Helms of the four felony charges against him, the most severe being a Class X Armed Robbery with a Firearm. That charge carries a 6 to 30 year prison sentence. Additional charges include a Class 1 Aggravated Robbery, Class 2 Robbery with Force, and Class 3 Theft. If convicted of all counts, Helms could see 15 to 37 years in the Department of Corrections.

According to police reports, officers were dispatched for an armed robbery that occurred Tuesday night in the area of North Cedar and Fremont streets. Victims told police that a vehicle had pulled past them and stopped in the middle of the road. From the vehicle allegedly came Helms, displaying a firearm, and a 17-year-old juvenile.

It is alleged that the suspects demanded money from them and made multiple threats. Reports indicate that cash was taken. It was also noted that after the money was taken the two subjects had entered the vehicle and backed into the victims car before driving away. The suspects were known to the victims and a photo lineup positively identified Helms and the 17-year-old.

Assistant State’s Attorney Sabrina Stroops informed Cavanaugh during the detention hearing that the 17-year-old had a different story of what happened. Allegedly the incident was related to a cannabis deal that Helms did not have money for, and thus took the marijuana and ran. The other vehicle followed and during a verbal confrontation between occupants of the two vehicles Helms displayed the firearm. Helms’ recount of what happened was apparently more aligned to the minor’s story.

Judge Cavanaugh found probable cause and took the state’s recommendation for the bond amount. He called it “low”, saying that he would have set it at $250,000 but took into account that this was Helms’ first offense and that the firearm had apparently not been recovered. He emphasized the severity of gun related crimes in Galesburg.

Helms will need 10% or $10,000 to get out of jail. Additional conditions of his bail are that he cannot possess a firearm.

He will be back in court for a preliminary hearing on August 21st at 2:00 p.m.

Recommended Posts

Loading...

Share Contact

contact-chris-mcintyre-qr-code