Flashback to 2022. On August 16th, about 10:40 pm, a masked gunman held up the Kelly Fuels store at 127 and Jefferson. Police say he demanded cash, made away with some, and left on foot. Columbia Township Police were immediately on his trail. But as they would find out, the path to the perp was a long and winding road.
After numerous search warrants, interviews and evidence collection, Columbia Township Police identified a suspect. As it turned out, he had a history, perhaps gaining the “frequent flyer” moniker in the cop business. Following up on leads, their investigation took them to Saginaw County on February 9th, 2023, where the suspect was in jail on various non-related charges coinciding with crimes committed there. With the acquired information, Columbia Township forwarded a report to the Jackson County Prosecutor. Following a complete review of the police report, 34-year-old Robert E. Geiger of Burt, Michigan was charged with one count of armed robbery which carries a maximum penalty of life in prison and one count of weapon – felony firearm that carries a mandatory sentence of two years in prison to be served consecutively with and proceeding any term of imprisonment imposed for the felony conviction.
Fast forward to this spring. On March 29th, Geiger entered into a plea agreement of no contest to the armed robbery charge. Because of the deal, the felony firearm charge was dismissed. On June 6th, Geiger was sentenced to a minimum of 5 to 30 years in the Michigan Department of Corrections. The story doesn’t end there. Following the sentencing in Jackson, Geiger was transported back to the Branch County Jail where charges are still pending in that county.
