CHAMPAIGN — A homeless man who allegedly robbed a convenience store clerk early Tuesday has been charged with a felony.

Andre J. Johnson, 47, is accused of robbing a clerk at the Circle K, 609 E. University Ave., C, of cash and a carton of cigarettes.

Assistant Champaign County State's Attorney Sarah Carlson said a man entered the store about 12:20 a.m. Tuesday, walked around the counter and threatened to hurt the woman working there. He then grabbed money from the register and took a carton of Newport cigarettes before running from the business.

Police found him minutes later climbing a fence in the 1300 block of West Hill Street in Urbana, a few blocks from the store. He was sweating and out of breath and could offer no explanation for climbing the fence, Carlson said. In the yard was a carton of Newport cigarettes.

Johnson had $106 in small bills on him, she added.

Arguing for bond, Carlson said Johnson had several prior convictions for theft, burglary, predatory criminal sexual assault of a child, aggravated criminal sexual abuse, and possession of weapon by a felon. He also has a pending misdemeanor assault case in Champaign County.

Judge John Kennedy set Johnson's bond at $100,000 and ordered him to be back in court Nov. 8.