UPDATE: Suspect charged after convenience store customer stops attempted armed robbery, deputies say

UPDATE 7/8: Cooper County deputies confirmed Elijah Devonta Carter, 26, of Kansas City, was the suspect arrested in the attempted robbery at a gas station in Boonville Friday night.

The Cooper County Sheriff’s Office wanted to thank the man who intervened and stopped the robbery. The sheriff said the man may have averted something worse than a robbery.

Carter was charged with first-degree robbery, armed criminal action, unlawful use of a weapon and receiving stolen property.

ORIGINAL: Cooper County deputies said they arrested a man after responding to an armed robbery in progress at a gas station in Boonville Friday night.

Deputies said they were called to the Eagle Stop on Steven Kole Court for reports of an armed robbery. When deputies arrived at the scene, they said they were able to take the suspect, a 26-year-old man from Kansas City, into custody without incident.

Deputies said during their investigation, they talked to a customer at the gas station who noticed the man was acting suspiciously and decided to stay in the area to continue watching him.

When the man went up to the register and demanded money, the customer was able to intervene with his concealed firearm and held the man in the store until law enforcement arrived, according to deputies.

Deputies said the man was taken to the Cooper County Detention Center pending formal charges. The man was initially arrested on charges of first-degree robbery, armed criminal action, unlawful use of the weapon and stealing a motor vehicle.

Deputies said they will release the man’s name once formal charges are filed.