TEXARKANA, Texas -A man accused of robbing three Texarkana convenience stores last year was denied a bond reduction recently by a Bowie County district judge.
Jaylan Morel Hayes, 18, appeared earlier this week before 102nd District Judge Jeff Addison for a hearing to address a request to lower his bail from $300,000. The request was filed by McKinney, Texas, lawyer Calvin Johnson.
After hearing from the prosecution and defense, Addison denied the motion.
"He put our citizens on the ground at gunpoint," First Assistant District Attorney Kelley Crisp said, referring to a Dec. 17 robbery of an Exxon convenience store at 4020 Lake Drive in Texarkana, Texas. Hayes is accused of committing that holdup while wearing a bandana on his face and carrying a pistol.
Hayes allegedly ordered multiple customers to the ground as a store clerk handed him $300 in cash. Hayes is also accused of robbing an EZ Mart on Richmond Road within 15 minutes of the Exxon holdup.
Hayes allegedly pretended to shop as customers entered the store and a nervous clerk attempted to open the safe. Hayes allegedly walked away with $105 of EZ Mart's money.
Hayes is also charged with robbing the Kristi Food Mart on Richmond Road. Hayes allegedly entered the store Nov. 18 and demanded cash while pointing a semi-automatic handgun with an extended magazine at a store employee.
Investigators were able to identify Hayes as a suspect by reviewing video surveillance footage, which revealed a distinctive tattoo on the robber's wrist. Hayes was arrested in McCurtain County, Oklahoma, in December and allegedly confessed.
At Hayes' bond hearing, conducted via Zoom video conferencing, Johnson argued that Hayes' bail, $100,000 on each of three counts of aggravated robberies was excessive and voiced concerns about the COVID-19 pandemic. Johnson said Hayes was willing to remain on house arrest under the supervision of his mother in the Dallas area.
Addison cited concerns for public safety, a lack of ties to the Texarkana area and the nature of the crimes pending against Hayes as cause to deny a bond reduction. Crisp said the state is ready to try the case before a jury once the Texas Supreme Court lifts restrictions suspending trials in light of the global pandemic.
If found guilty of aggravated robbery, Hayes faces five to 99 years or life on each of three counts.