INDIANAPOLIS — An Indianapolis man has been convicted of using a BB gun to commit armed robbery.
On Nov. 2, Joseph Johnson was convicted of armed robbery and robbery after a two-day jury trial.
The conviction stems from an incident on May 17 at a supermarket in the 2800 block of East Michigan Street. IMPD officers responded to the supermarket after receiving reports that the business was being robbed. Johnson fled the scene with $500 before police arrived.
Officers interviewed two employees who told police that Johnson had come into the store asking for medication before displaying a handgun and demanding money.
IMPD investigators then reviewed the store's security camera footage, which showed Johnson demanding money before fleeing the scene. Footage also captured a partial license plate number, which investigators were able to track back to Johnson.
The following day, IMPD spotted Johnson's vehicle and initiated a traffic stop. Officers arrested Johnson after a brief foot pursuit and discovered a firearm Johnson had thrown away during the chase.
The firearm was later found to be a BB gun that investigators believed had been used during the robbery.
Johnson's sentencing hearing is scheduled for Tuesday, Dec. 5 at 9 a.m.
