Cincinnati man accused of attempted robbery through Facebook Marketplace

Accused of injuring troopers during the meeting

(ST. LEON, Ind.) – A Cincinnati man is facing numerous charges stemming from an inccident that occurred at a St. Leon gas station. 

Prosecutors say 20-year-old Gregory Lucas reached out to an individual who was selling a van on Facebook Marketplace. 

Lucas allegedly offered two ounces of cocaine, $4,500 and marijuana as payment for the van. 

The seller contacted Indiana State Police and a meeting was set up to sell the van at the Amoco in St. Leon on September 17. 

Undercover troopers were at the station when they say Lucas arrived wearing a ski mask, black jacket and black pants. 

lt was unusual for someone to be wearing a jacket, ski mask, black fleece jacket and long pants as the temperature was in the 90's,” Dearborn County Prosecutor Lynn Deddens said. 

Troopers say Lucas was walking around the backside of the gas station when he was confronted by police. 

Lucas allegedly said he was there to purchase a vehicle and said he had messages to confirm the meeting. 

While Lucas was showing messages to the Trooper, Lucas accidentally showed a message to the effect of, I got that weed,” Deddens said. 

Troopers attempted to conduct a search when Lucas allegedly attempted to run away. 

It led to a physical confrontation where Lucas allegedly bit a trooper, attempted to gouge out the trooper’s eye and other injuries. 

“Trooper Stovall sustained an injury to his shoulder, which required a visit to an orthopedic doctor and the injury to his face is now a permanent scar,” Deddens said. 

Police were able to take Lucas into custody and a search led to them finding a loaded handgun in his jacket, police said.

Police say they also found an opened Swiss Army pocketknife that he had hid behind the gas station. 

They added that no drugs were found during the search.

According to police, Lucas admitted that he agreed to bring two ounces of cocaine and two guns as payment, which he did not have on him. 

Detectives later conducted a forensic analysis on Lucas’ cell phone. 

Police say Lucas had a text conversation with a friend prior to the meeting where Lucas said, "Finna rob these 2 **ga. One today one Saturday."

An initial hearing was held Monday where Lucas was charged with Attempted Robbery, five counts of Battery on a Public Safety Official, and Resisting Law Enforcement. 

A Dearborn County judge ruled that Lucas presented a risk to community safety and risk of failing to appear and set bond at $1 million cash and $500,000 surety. 

While Lucas does not have a criminal history, troopers testified as to pre-planning along with the loaded gun and knife at the scene.