The case involving a Middletown man charged with aggravated robbery was sent to the Butler County Grand Jury, Middletown Municipal Court Judge Mark Wall said Monday night.

Jessy Byrd is suspected of trying to rob a Franklin man at knife-point on Feb. 17 in the parking lot of Speedway, 3501 Roosevelt Blvd.

Larry Lewis, 67, of Franklin, said in court that after buying a trade magazine in Speedway, he got back into his van that was parked at one of the gas pumps. That’s when the suspect, who was in the back seat, placed his left arm around Lewis’ neck and stuck a knife, described as a steak knife, to his throat.

Byrd allegedly told Lewis to give him “all your money or I will kill you,” Lewis testified. He told Byrd he had no money and this conversation went back-and-forth for a few minutes, he said.

Finally, Lewis worked loose and fell out of the van, injuring his left knee, he testified. He was able to identify the suspect as he walked away, even though the suspect pulled a gray hoodie over his head, Lewis said.

Attorney Pat McKnight asked Lewis what kind of clothes the suspect was wearing, and Lewis said since the man was sitting behind him, he couldn’t tell what type of pants he was wearing.

Lewis said at the time, with a knife to his throat, he was a “compromising position.”

Lewis said he wasn’t cut by the knife and he gave the suspect no money.

Byrd was found a few minutes later by Middletown police inside a residence in the Williamsburg Apartments at 1225 Jackson Lane.

Joshua Back, 23, who was at Speedway at the time of the alleged robbery attempt, followed Byrd to the apartments and stayed there until police arrived.

Byrd remains in Middletown City Jail on a $25,000 bond. In the last 11 years, Byrd has been arrested 15 times in Middletown, including for assault, attempted assault, aggravated robbery and petty theft.