71-year-old man charged in weekend armed robbery

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

A septuagenarian has been charged in Boone County after he was accused of robbing a downtown Columbia bank at gunpoint over the weekend.

Basil Kyles, 71, of Columbia, was charged on Tuesday with first-degree robbery, unlawful use of a weapon and two counts of armed criminal action. He is being held at a mental facility in Fulton, according to a Columbia Police Department spokesman. A court date has not been scheduled.

The probable cause statement says Columbia police were called around 11 a.m. to First Mid Bank on North Fifth Street in downtown Columbia. Kyles – who was wearing a ski mask – had allegedly pulled out a gun and demanded money. He allegedly told the tellers that he did not have “anything to lose,” court documents say.

He took $6,000 in a Walmart bag and was seen on multiple cameras walking south toward Broadway Diner, the statement says. The ski mask was allegedly found outside of Shiloh’s bar, the statement says. Kyles was eventually identified by the owner of Broadway Diner and more clothing of his was found in the bathroom of the business, the statement says.

A couple at the diner had also stated that they bought Kyles an Uber ride to his apartment at Oak Tower Apartments, the statement says. Kyles was seen on video entering his apartment, the statement says. Police interviewed him and he denied being downtown that day, court documents say.

Police eventually found a handgun and $5,140 in cash in a drawer, court documents say. Kyles allegedly told someone else in the apartment he won money in a poker game and the roommate was surprised to learn from police that a gun was found in the residence, the statement says.