The criminal case against an Augusta man accused of breaking into the home of an 85-year-old woman and robbing her at gunpoint was dismissed Thursday.

Michael Chad Gribanow, 26, had been held in jail without bond for more than a month. A preliminary hearing was set Thursday in Richmond County Magistrate Court, but when the lead investigator, Ben Harmon, failed to appear to testify, Presiding Judge H. Scott Allen dismissed the charges against Mr. Gribanow.

Mr. Gribanow was arrested in late September on charges of burglary, armed robbery and a weapon violation in connection with a Sept. 9 home invasion, and with burglary in connection with an Aug. 26 break-in on Sycamore Drive. The victim of the home invasion reported her assailant forced his way into her home and held her at gunpoint while demanding money and prescription medication.

The prosecutor can still seek an indictment against Mr. Gribanow.

Reach Sandy Hodson at (706) 823-3226 or sandy.hodson@augustachronicle.com