Independence man accused of trying to rob Oak Grove pastor

An Independence man has been charged with first-degree attempted robbery after he allegedly grabbed the keys of a pastor’s truck and demanded money.

Prosecutors also charged Robert Michael, 31, with armed criminal action.

According to court records:

The pastor told police that Michael entered his Oak Grove church on Nov. 19 and talked with him for about 30 minutes before saying he had family problems and needed a ride to Independence.

The pastor decided the only way to get Michael to leave was to give him a ride. The pastor said he grew nervous after Michael told him during the ride that he had served 10 years in a Texas prison.

The pastor said that after he stopped the truck outside a home near Independence Square, Michael tried twice to steal the keys from the ignition. On the second try, the pastor grabbed the keys and began to leave the truck. Michael demanded all the pastor’s money while holding what the pastor thought was a knife.

The pastor left the truck, flagged the driver of a passing car and told her he was being robbed. The driver called 911 as Michael walked away from the truck.

The pastor gave officers a description of Michael’s clothes and the tattoos covering his face. Officers soon arrested Michael.

Michael has a hearing scheduled Wednesday in Jackson County Circuit Court.

This story was originally published November 30, 2015 at 4:26 PM with the headline "Independence man accused of trying to rob Oak Grove pastor."