Woman accused of ransacking Columbia convenience store appears in court
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)
A Columbia woman accused of causing thousands of dollars’ worth of damage at a convenience store on Tuesday appeared in court on Wednesday.
La Shaunda Angeline Johnson, 31, was charged with first-degree property damage, misdemeanor stealing and first-degree trespassing, a misdemeanor. She is being held at the Boone County Jail without bond.
Johnson appeared in court Wednesday by video from the jail. No changes in bond were ordered and a bond investigation was set for 1 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 6. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for 9 a.m. Thursday, Jan. 4.
Johnson was accused of ransacking the Eagle Stop in Columbia on Tuesday. Police received a call about someone allegedly destroying the store. Officers arrived to see two broken windows, glass scattered and most of the store ransacked, with items broken all over the floor, according to the probable cause statement.
A viewer who asked to remain anonymous shared a video of the incident that led to charges with ABC 17 News. It shows a person smashing registers, computers and frozen drink machines. The video also shows the person crying and accusing someone in the store of "messing" with them several times.
Police say about $30,000 in damage was done.
An employee allegedly told Johnson to leave when she entered the store, saying she was trespassed from the business in June and was told to not return. The employee then said Johnson then went behind the counter and stole two packs of cigarettes before breaking multiple items, the statement says.
The probable cause statement says Johnson allegedly:
- Caused $1,500 of damage to a cash register;
- Broke $3,000 worth of liquor;
- Damaged two drink machines valued at $20,000; and
- Caused $2,000 of damage to general merchandise.
Johnson was later arrested at her residence, the probable cause statement says.
According to court records, Johnson is charged in another case with third-degree assault and causing damage to jail property, both felonies. A $25,000 bond was set in that case for failing to abide a judge’s order and a preliminary hearing is set for 9 a.m. Thursday, Jan. 25. The probable cause statement says Johnson allegedly broke a jail phone by hitting it against the wall.
Court records show Johnson was also charged with first-degree trespassing – a misdemeanor -- in May. She was also charged with a pair of misdemeanors – resisting arrest and failure to register a motor vehicle – in June. A bench trial in both of those cases is scheduled for 9 a.m. Thursday, Jan. 4.
