(COLUMBIA, MO) ~ Columbia Police have made an arrest in connection with two recent armed robberies. Lance Dereon Graves, 20, of Columbia, was taken into custody on July 20 for his alleged involvement in the incidents that occurred on July 11 and July 16.

According to authorities, the first robbery took place on Claudell Lane where the victim was robbed at gunpoint during a Facebook Marketplace transaction. The second incident occurred on Thomas Drive.

Graves is facing multiple charges including two counts of first-degree robbery, two counts of armed criminal action, and two counts of unlawful use of a weapon. The investigation is ongoing and anyone with information is urged to contact the Columbia Police Department or CrimeStoppers.

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Under Missouri statutes, first-degree robbery is defined as taking property from someone by using or threatening to use force while armed criminal action involves using a weapon during the commission of a felony. Unlawful use of a weapon refers to possessing or exhibiting a weapon in an unlawful manner.

If anyone has information that leads to an arrest in this case, they may be eligible for a cash reward of up to $2,500. The case numbers for these incidents are 2026-006511 and 2026-006732.

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