AMES – An Iowa man who robbed two businesses in Ames while armed with a handgun was caught after his second crime and now faces numerous charges.
On January 7, 2020, at 10:32 p.m., the Ames Police Department responded to a report of an armed robbery at Swift Stop, 3218 Orion Drive. According to the convenience store employee, a suspect entered the store and displayed a handgun. The suspect demanded money and exited the store with an undisclosed amount of money. The employee was not injured during the robbery. The suspect was described as a white male wearing a ski mask and a green coat. Officers responded to the area, but were unable to locate the suspect.
A second armed robbery was reported on January 8, 2020 at 1:03 a.m. at Kum and Go, 4506 Lincoln Way. The suspect entered the store, displayed a handgun and demanded money from the clerk. The suspect exited the store with an undisclosed amount of money. The employee was not injured. The suspect was wearing the same clothing as the above robbery.
The suspect was located by officers a short time later in the 4400 block of Lincoln Swing as he was leaving the area in a vehicle. Anthony D. Gardner, age 23, of Ames, was arrested and charged with:
• Robbery 1st degree, a class “B” felony
• Robbery 1st degree, a class “B” felony
• Driving while license suspended, simple misdemeanor
• Failure to use headlamps, simple misdemeanor
• Failure to use seatbelt, simple misdemeanor
Investigation into this incident continues by the Ames Police Department. Boone County Sheriff’s Office and Iowa State University Police assisted in the investigation.
It’s so easy to pass judgment onto someone or something you know nothing about. You know the details said in the news, not the full story. Before leaving a gross comment of “he should’ve been shot” he obviously didn’t go out with the intention to hurt people. And he didn’t. You don’t know the reason of why he did it, what led up to this breaking point, and any of his circumstances. People love to read the surface level details and make assumptions and label people as horrible. If you do not know this man personally keep your comments to yourself. Stop the negative comments, instead of seeing someone as just a criminal see them as a whole person and have compassion.
So, we shouldn’t judge Robert Bryant Salley Jr., 18, of Rochester.
Robert Bryant Salley Jr., 18, has been arrested for 2nd-degree murder and for being a felon in possession of a firearm. After being arrested, Salley allegedly told authorities that he set up a deal with an unknown individual over Snapchat to purchase marijuana for $70.
According to court documents, Salley told investigators that he was told he “had a bounty on his head” after he got into the vehicle to buy the weed.
When a gun was displayed, Salley told investigators he lunged at it and the two males fought over the gun before it went off.
Salley allegedly also shot at the vehicle as he was walking away before fleeing the scene.
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According to you, I shouldn’t think that this is a drug user that I don’t need around. I also shouldn’t think that this kid is either a wanna be thug or just made his bones thug. In my humble opinion he is a murderer, “Salley allegedly also shot at the vehicle as he was walking away before fleeing the scene.”
for everyone reading this. consider the circumstances when you pass judgement. not a single one of you knows this man’s life and what led him to this choice. regardless of how heinous you find the crime itself, it is our job to have empathy for our fellow man. I pray none of you who unnecessarily shower this story/his name with ridiculous and cruel OPINIONS find yourself at a place in life where you believe your only way out is to resort to this. it’s clear his intent wasn’t to hurt anyone, he needed money, and likely for reasons most have never experienced and cannot fathom. not meant to excuse, but simply to offer counterpoints I doubt many of you truly think of/take into account when you place yourself in the position of judge, jury and God himself to pass your judgement. I pray none of your families have to read awful things online about you should you ever unfortunately find yourself in the dark place that gripped this young man. please remember, it’s easy to hate but hard to love in situations like this, and what kind of person do you want to be?
I have been down to the point where I was living outdoors. I had to rummage for food, I didn’t shove a gun in peoples faces and steal from them. I took what ever jobs I could get to make a few bucks. I didn’t spend it for foolish shit, got better jobs. Damn, didn’t take all that long and I was just fine.
Difference is,I was willing to WORK for it, not steal for it. So, yes, I WILL pass judgment on a PUNK.
Keep in mind I am saying this with loads of sarcasm.
He shouldn’t be in that much trouble, no body got hurt. It’s just corporations that lost anything, they can afford it. He’s so young, your ruining his life. He’s such a good boy, he just wouldn’t do those things. He had to pay fines/rent/utilities. (assuming he was taking some classes) You can’t expect him to work AND attend school. He just needed the extra money to help him relax.
Have I about covered the BS we’ll here in various places?
Now, this is a crime. They should have saved us some money and just shot him.
this is sick and makes you not one ounce better than the man charged
People like you are the reason people like him do what they do. You should be shot along with him. If you use a gun or knife while committing a crime you run the risk of getting shot.
Too bad Anthony didn’t resist arrest and get ventilated. I have no time for lazy turds that point a gun at people for cash.