Man accused of robbing Imo's and Circle K in Jefferson County arrested

KSDK -- Jefferson County authorities have arrested a man they believe is responsible for recent robberies at a convenience store and restaurant in High Ridge.

Sheriff Glenn Boyer said that on October 15 around 3:39 a.m., his deputies responded to a robbery call at the Circle K the 5600 block of Highway PP. A clerk said the suspect, now identified as 21-year-old Robert Galasso of House Springs, walked in with his left hand inside his coat appearing to have a gun.

Galasso allegedly told the clerk to pull the cash drawer from the register. The clerk attempted to pull the drawer out twice unsuccessfully, angering Galasso. Investigators said Galasso then threatened to shoot her if she failed a third time in trying to pull out the drawer. He then decided to snatch the money out of the drawer along with several cartons of cigarettes and run. It's not clear if Galasso actually had a gun.

Detectives determined that the suspect in the store's security video was the same man who robbed an Imo's on Gravois two days earlier.

During the course of the investigation, a detective working the robbery identified Galasso. Deputies went to his home and took him into custody.

Galasso is charged with two counts of first degree robbery.