Police arrest 2 after gun sale reportedly ends in armed robbery

Two men were facing possible charges Monday after police arrested them in connection to a robbery.

It happened Fridayin the 2300 block of Southridge Drive.

The victims told police they were trying to sell an AK-47, when the potential buyers pulled out a weapon, pointed it at them, and demanded their rifle, cash and cell phones.

The victims were apparently able to leave the residence without being harmed, but told police threats were made against both of them.

Detectives investigating the robbery got a search warrant for the suspects’ apartment. Although the suspects were not initially taken into custody as a result of the search warrant, they were both located by officers.

Officers said they later arrested 26-year-oldEdward J. Holmes and 27-year-oldMatthew Key on suspicion of Robbery 1 st and Armed Criminal Action.

Police said Key is also a convicted felon and could face additional charges of felon in possession of a firearm.

Both men remained in the Cole County Jail Monday on no bond.

Jefferson City Police said they also recovered a number of firearms, including the rifle in question, from a location nearby the apartment that the suspects apparently hid from officers. Ammunition and a number of magazines were located as well.