A Warrenton man accused of robbing the local BP station earlier this month is facing new charges in both Warren and Lincoln counties.Joseph R. Preis, 31, of the 400 block of Pershing Avenue, has been charged in Warren County with armed criminal action and assault after allegedly running down a man with his truck July 7 in the 17000 block of Barry Glenn.According to court documents, the victim reported he saw a white F-250 pickup truck in the private driveway outside his home. The victim said he thought the driver was lost and approached the truck to see if the driver, later identified as Preis, needed assistance.The man gave the victim a nonexistent address, according to the sheriff’s office, which made the victim suspicious and he asked the suspect to leave the area. Preis then allegedly accelerated his truck toward the victim, chasing him across his yard, striking him with the truck and pinning him against his own residence, authorities said.According to the report, the victim’s feet and legs were run over by the truck. Later that day, Preis robbed a clerk at the BP station, making off with $333.57 in cash and merchandise, authorities allege.Police later identified Preis from a store surveillance camera. Preis was charged with first-degree robbery and armed criminal action in the gas station robbery.The man Preis allegedly ran over and a witness were able to identify Preis as the driver of the truck through a photo lineup.Police obtained a search warrant and searched Preis’ vehicle, where they reportedly found damage consistent with the victim’s report and the crime scene.Broken truck parts recovered at the crime scene matched parts broken off the truck, according to police.A $300,000 cash-only bond was issued in the assault case.In Lincoln County, Preis is facing charges of second-degree burglary and theft/stealing of a firearm from another incident that happened earlier the same day as the assault and robbery.According to court documents, Preis allegedly broke into a home in the 1000 block of Highway J while the residents were away, taking two firearms, one of which police allege was used in the gas station robbery.Both weapons were recovered after the robbery when Preis was arrested.A $50,000 bond was issued for the Lincoln County case.Last month, Preis was charged with domestic assault after an argument allegedly turned physical after the man’s girlfriend confronted him about watching pornography, according to court reports.The incident reportedly occurred June 25.The girlfriend said Pries allegedly became angry and hit her several times in the face with a closed fist, then choked her. When police arrived at the residence, they said they saw bruises on the woman’s face and neck and abrasions on her back. Her shirt also was torn.Pries was released on bond in this case and ordered to stay away from the victim.

Joseph Preis