INDIANAPOLIS — A man has been arrested and faces nearly three dozen charges stemming from a string of armed robberies of at least 10 different businesses during a period of roughly four months.
Jovonni Sanders, 26, is charged with a total of 35 different counts connected with the robberies, which took place between Dec. 5, 2021, and March 8, 2022, according to court records.
Sanders' charges include the following:
- 15 counts of armed robbery as a level 3 felony
- Three counts of robbery as a level 5 felony
- 14 counts of pointing a firearm as a level 6 felony
- One count of battery by means of a deadly weapon, a level 6 felony
- One count of criminal recklessness committed with a deadly weapon, a level 6 felony
IMPD officers began investigating Sanders on Dec. 28, 2021 after receiving reports of a series of similar robberies. Several of them took place on the same day and involved a suspect described as a 6-foot-tall Black male
An investigation tied him to robberies at the following locations and dates:
- Dec. 5, 2021, at Shell Gas Station, 2960 S. Meridian St.
- Dec. 5, 2021, at Speedway, 5345 S. East St.
- Dec. 6, 2021, at 21st Amendment Liquor, 3939 S. Keystone Ave.
- Dec. 26, 2021, at Speedway, 401 Kentucky Ave.
- Dec. 26, 2021, at Shell Gas, 7020 McFarland Blvd.
- Jan. 2, 2022, at Village Pantry, 1415 W. 86th St.
- Jan.17, 2022, at Dollar General, 6908 Madison Ave.
- Jan. 20, 2022, at Super Tacos, 7853 N. Michigan Road
- March 5, 2022, at Circle K, 6402 W. 10th St.
- March 8, 2022, at Dollar Tree, 3489 W. 86th St.
A probable cause affidavit lists additional robberies IMPD was also investigated around and during this time period, but police have only connected Sanders to a total of 10 robberies.
The affidavit also states that Sanders told officers there may have been another person involved in some of the robberies.
Police executed a search warrant on Sanders' vehicle and home and took him into custody on April 1 on the city's far north side.
Sanders is scheduled to appear for an initial hearing Friday ahead of a pre-trial conference Jan. 31, 2023, and a jury trial Feb. 6, 2023 — all in Marion Superior Court.
-
Purdue launches new sports management program amid boom in industry
The Circle City is considered the amateur sports capital of the world, which is why Purdue University is launching a new master's program to make sure people are fully trained to manage the demand.Hamilton County, Town of Sheridan at odds over road funding
Tensions between the town of Sheridan and Hamilton County officials have escalated over road funding responsibilities.Hoosiers rally at the statehouse and urge lawmakers to protect Medicaid
The rally focused on Senate Bill 2 which would require Medicaid recipients to all users to re-apply for Medicaid coverage quarterly.1 person in critical condition following south Indy shooting
One person is in critical condition following a shooting on the south side of Indianapolis on Tuesday.