Teen suspected in 35 business robberies sentenced to 16 years in Missouri prison
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- Judge sentenced 19-year-old Caldwell to 16 years for armed robberies.
- Police belive Caldwell tied to 35 business robberies, including 18 Dollar General stores.
- Crime spree escalated in July 2024 before arrest ended with standoff.
A judge sentenced a Kansas City teen suspected of being involved in about three dozen business robberies in the metro area since December 2023 to 16 years in a Missouri prison, according to court documents.
Jackson County Judge Jerri J. Zhang, on Friday, found that 19-year-old Manyiuel Edoon Caldwell must serve 85% of the sentence under Missouri law, as he pleaded guilty to a dangerous felony.
The sentencing involves three separate cases where Caldwell was accused of multiple counts of armed robbery and armed criminal action in a series of business robberies.
In one case, Caldwell pleaded guilty to one count each of first-degree robbery and armed criminal action for an armed robbery early on July 17, 2024. Zhang sentenced him to 13 years in prison for the robbery charge and 3 years for the armed criminal action charge, with the sentences to run consecutively.
In another case, Caldwell pleaded guilty to three counts of first-degree robbery for armed robberies on July 5, 2024. Zhang sentenced him to 10 years on each count, with the sentences to run concurrently. Nine other counts, which have been redacted from court documents, were dismissed.
In the remaining case, Caldwell pleaded guilty to one count each of second-degree robbery and armed criminal action for an armed robbery on June 24, 2024. Zhang sentenced him to 10 years on the robbery charge and 3 years on the armed criminal action charge, with the sentences to run consecutively. Four other counts, which have been redacted, were also dismissed.
Zhang also ordered the sentences in the second and third cases to run concurrently with the first case.
Escalating crime spree, per police
According to court documents, Caldwell is believed to have been a suspect in 35 armed business robberies, including 18 at multiple Dollar General Stores, since 2023.
Police believe that Caldwell’s crime spree was escalating because he allegedly was involved in 15 robberies between June 24, 2024, and his arrest on July 17, 2024, according to court documents.
According to court documents, Kansas City police robbery detectives had been investigating a series of robberies since December 2023. Using business surveillance cameras and residential doorbell cameras, police were able to identify a suspect vehicle registered to an acquaintance of Caldwell.
In January 2024, officers stopped the vehicle in connection with a series of robberies. Caldwell was driving at the time, and officers saw he allegedly had two handguns. Clothing inside the compact SUV matched photographs from previous robberies, according to court documents. Caldwell was arrested but later released.
Detectives continued to monitor Caldwell’s homes and vehicles. In June 2024, one of the vehicles he drove was involved in a shooting. Caldwell then began using other vehicles, several of which were stolen, according to court documents.
While under surveillance of a police helicopter, unmarked police cars and a tactical team, Caldwell and an accomplice allegedly robbed an unnamed gas station. He allegedly threatened an employee with an AK-style rifle.
When they fled from the robbery, police pursued their vehicle. Caldwell and the accomplice then ran into a home in Kansas City, leading to a multi-hour standoff. Eventually, Caldwell and the accomplice surrendered to police.
Police found clothing that matched clothing worn during the robberies, and DNA that allegedly tied him to the crimes. They also found an AK-style rifle that matched the weapon allegedly used in the crimes.
This story was originally published June 9, 2025 at 3:24 PM.
