EDWARDSVILLE – An Edwardsville man remains in custody after allegedly robbing someone of a cannabis bag and setting their personal property on fire.
John M. Molinar, 40, of Edwardsville, faces a Class 2 felony count of robbery and a Class A misdemeanor count of criminal damage to property in a Madison County case filed July 29, 2026.
Two days prior on July 27, Molinar allegedly knowingly stole a bag of cannabis from another individual by use of force and caused less than $500 worth of property damage to assorted personal items belonging to the same victim.
Edwardsville Police officers responded to the reported robbery and saw Molinar fleeing on foot before apprehending him, according to the state’s petition to deny Molinar’s pretrial release from custody.
“Victim reported that he was smoking with defendant, who suddenly attacked him, striking him multiple times and taking a bag of cannabis,” the petition states. “Victim reported that defendant then lit a box of his property on fire and fled.”
Officers later searched Molinar and found the bag of cannabis, which Molinar reportedly admitted belonged to the victim.
Molinar currently remains in custody at the Madison County Jail pending trial in the case presented by the Edwardsville Police Department.
All individuals charged are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
