A robbery suspect, 47-year old Timothy R. Collier, has been ordered held without bond, by a magistrate judge following a hearing, according to the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Illinois.  Collier was indicted on November 20, 2013, in two counts of Interference with Commerce by Robbery, which is a violation of the Hobbs Act, and two counts of Use of a Firearm During a Crime of Violence, in connection with the armed robbery of East Saint Louis Jewelry and Loan that occurred on April 25, 2013, and the armed robbery that occurred at Arena Liquor in Belleville on July 12, 2013.  The offenses charged in the indictment allege that on April 25, 2013, Collier took numerous items of jewelry and a firearm from the presence of the owner of the jewelry store, by means of actual and threatened force, by brandishing and discharging a firearm and shooting the owner in the chest and head.  The indictment also alleges that on July 12, 2013, Collier took United States Currency from the presence of an employee of Arena Liquor, by means of actual and threatened force, by brandishing a firearm.

If convicted of all charges, he faces 10 years to life in prison, $500,000 fine, and if released, 5 years probation.  A trial date is currently set for January 27, 2014.