Town Pump Hit by Armed Robbery Monday
 | Author:
MT43 Staff Reporter
Nancy Marks: MT43 News Secretary and News Editor |
Samuel James Collins, 33, of East Helena, was arrested early Monday morning, Oct. 16, after he allegedly staged an armed robbery of the Town Pump store in Townsend, Sheriff Nick Rauser reported in a news release. Rauser said Collins fired a shot into the ceiling of the store and then fled in a car. He was apprehended by Meagher County sheriff’s officers on U.S. Highway 12.
A source told MT43 News that about 3 a.m. a man entered the store wearing no pants, fired a shot into the ceiling and demanded money. An employee gave him money and the man left. No one was injured.
Meagher County Sheriff’s deputies detained Collins as he drove toward White Sulphur Springs. Collins was arrested without incident. He was later charged with assault with a weapon, aggravated burglary, motor vehicle theft, among other charges. He was held in the Broadwater County jail. His bond was set at $120,000.
Rauser said both the car and the firearm were stolen. He said Collins was on probation from a deferred sentence for a 2021 conviction of driving under the influence (DUI) for a fourth time and possession of dangerous drugs.
Collins is the owner of Suay-Thai Catering of Helena and former owner of the shuttered Toi’s Thai restaurant in downtown Helena, the Helena Independent Record reported.
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PhotoCredit: Photo Credits: Nancy Marks
Image 1 Caption: Townsend Town Pump
Photo Credits: Nancy Marks
Image 2 Caption: Samuel James Collins’ arrest photo
Photo Credits: Nancy Marks
