LOUISVILLE, Ky. — A Louisville man who allegedly robbed a downtown gas station and threatened to kill employees using a machete over the weekend had his first court appearance on Monday.
Louisville Metro Police (LMPD) have charged 29-year-old Treyshun Gardner with first-degree robbery in connection to the incident. During his arraignment, he pleaded not guilty.
According to court documents, on Saturday, Dec. 10, a caller reported Gardner had "threatened to cut off the caller's head" with a machete.
When officers arrived, they located Gardner and drew their weapons, giving him verbal commands to remove his backpack, which he did.
Police found a bag of chips and juice next to him, which he said he bought from a gas station "down the road to which he didn't identify," his arrest citation said.
The gas station manager showed LMPD where Gardner allegedly stole the juice, bag of chips and a bag of almonds -- in total, worth less than $10.
His arrest citation says the manager confronted Gardner, and as he attempted to flee, grabbed the machete from Gardner's backpack. However, Gardner allegedly "went after the manager" and was able to get the weapon back.
The citation says Gardner then "threatened to cut off the manager's head."
According to LMPD, video then shows Gardner fleeing the store. Officers later found and arrested him.
He was also charged with wanton endangerment (first degree), according to court documents.
A Jefferson County judge originally set his bond at $20,000 cash and it was later lowered to $5,000.
A grand jury will hear Gardner's case the week of Jan. 16.
Make it easy to keep up-to-date with more stories like this. Download the WHAS11 News app now. For Apple or Android users.
Have a news tip? Email assign@whas11.com, visit our Facebook page or Twitter feed.
