Sean Ernest Stenzel, 18, of New Richland, who was arrested in connection with an armed robbery of Dairy Queen on North Bridge Avenue, pleaded guilty to a first-degree aggravated robbery charge Monday.

According to the criminal complaint, Stenzel went into the food shop with a gun around 9:30 p.m. on April 4, and took more than $1,000 from a cash safe and registers.

Two employees were at work. Stenzel, covering his face with an orange mask, ordered a female employee to tie the other up with duct tape, and let her open the safe and registers. He then taped the female employee as well, and told the employees that someone from the parking lot would shoot them if either of them got up.

The Albert Lea Police Department has also arrested Jason Richard Farris, 18, of Albert Lea, for aiding the robbery.

Farris allegedly drove Stenzel to the Dairy Queen after they stopped at Wal-Mart to buy the duct tape used in the crime. Stenzel told Farris that he would use the money to buy drugs. Farris denied he was paid for driving Stenzel, but stated to the police that Stenzel bought him things.