Columbia man accused of smashing gaming machine with sledgehammer, stealing money
Editor's note: A photograph previously attached to this article has been removed. This article also previously identified charges and detainment status that were attributed to Poelker's brother.
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)
A Columbia man has been charged with a pair of felonies in Boone County after deputies claim that he smashed a video gaming machine, took nearly $1,400 and caused thousands of dollars’ worth of damage.
Anthony Joseph Poelker Jr., 34, was charged with felony stealing and first-degree property damage. He is not in custody.
According to the probable cause statement, Poelker allegedly used a sledgehammer on June 21, 2021, to open a video gaming machine to take the money that was inside. The statement says Poelker caused $4,000 of damage to the machine and took $1,395. The statement claims he admitted to damaging the machine and taking the money on July 14, 2021.
Poelker told ABC 17 News on Friday that he did not make any statements of admission to law enforcement. Poelker stated law enforcement arrived to his home in 2021, asking for a confession.
Poelker stated that he told that law enforcement that he did not feel comfortable speaking without an attorney present. He then claimed that law enforcement asked him to later speak at the sheriff's office.
Poelker told ABC 17 News that he spoke with an attorney after law enforcement left, and that he was advised not to speak without counsel.
