Columbia man accused in 2023 robbery sentenced to early release program

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

A Columbia man who was accused of trying to rob a Break Time on Smiley Lane last year pleaded guilty on Tuesday to a pair of charges.

Nakwon Harris, 23, pleaded guilty to first-degree attempted robbery and second-degree burglary. He was sentenced to a 120-day early release program. He will be released on probation, perform 200 hours of community service work and pay $4,383.10 in restitution. He’ll have a 17-year sentence if he violates probation.

Harris was initially charged with first-degree attempted robbery, armed criminal action, unlawful use of a weapon and second-degree kidnapping. 

According to previous reporting, Columbia police responded to a panic alarm on Feb. 23, 2023, at the Break Time on Smiley Lane. The victim told police that a man in a ski mask pointed a gun at his head in the parking lot and told him, “I’m not going to shoot you. I just want the money,” the probable cause statement said.

The victim told police the man wanted the money from the safe inside Break Time.

Once the two were inside the building, Harris allegedly tossed the man a plastic bag and instructed him to put the money in the bag. Harris allegedly put the gun down and the victim tried to grab it. Harris was able to get the gun back, fell backwards and his cellphone fell out of his pocket, according to the probable cause statement. Harris ran out the back door. Police received the phone from the victim.