Young men charged with downtown mugging

Published 2:11 pm Monday, January 3, 2011

Three young men from Albert Lea were charged in Freeborn County District Court Monday with allegedly mugging a downtown business owner last week.

Adam Ly Haas, 18, his brother Michael Van Haas, 20, and Shepperd Lawrence Robins-Priestley, 19, all face charges from the alleged mugging of the owner of Adams Originals, 238 S. Broadway Ave., on Thursday.

Adam Haas

According to court documents, the young men reportedly stole $95 in cash, a Visa card and checks.

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Assistant Freeborn County Attorney Karyn Sackis Lunn said in court Monday that Adam Haas is believed to be the actual alleged perpetrator, while Michael Haas and Robins-Priestley reportedly aided and abetted.

Each of the young men face one simple robbery charge each, and Michael Haas and Robins-Priestley also face one charge of aiding and abetting simple robbery.

Freeborn County District Court Judge John A. Chesterman set bail at $100,000 without conditions and $50,000 with conditions for each man and also ordered a bond study for all three men.

Court documents state the owner of the store was working alone when the three men reportedly walked in the store and started looking around.

The owner reportedly walked up to one of the young men and asked if she could help them when that young man “grabbed her, pulled her forward, frightening her” and then reached into her side pocket and pulled out her checkbook.

Michael Haas

The man then turned and ran out of the store running north on Broadway Avenue to the corner of William Street, according to police reports.

The owner followed the man, attempting to run after him, but eventually lost sight of him, court documents continue. When she returned to the store, the other two young men were gone.

Court documents state officers were radioed a description of the young men and were “immediately” led to the Haas brothers, 801 Water St.

The young men were found in a truck that was stuck in the snow one house away from the residence.

The driver was Michael Haas, and Adam Haas, Robins-Priestley and one other person were the passengers. The third passenger was allowed to leave.

Police later found the checkbook in the truck.

In an interview after his arrest, Michael Haas reportedly told police it was Robins-Priestley’s idea to rob the store owner and that Robins-Priestley had been in the store earlier that day and had accompanied him and his brother to the store, according to court documents. Michael Haas reportedly told police his brother was the person who took the wallet.

Shepperd Robins-Priestley

Robins-Priestley reportedly admitted to police he had been in the store earlier in the day and that he was present during the robbery but did not know that the two brothers were going to steal from the store. However, he reportedly admitted suggesting to the two brothers that they check out the store and reportedly heard Michael Haas tell Adam Haas to hide the checkbook in the back of the truck between the battery and spare tire.

Adam Haas denied any involvement in the robbery to police.

According to court documents, Michael Haas told a detective that he had been kicked out of his house and had been sleeping at the homes of friends. Robins-Priestley reportedly told Michael Haas that he was in need of some money as well.

The young men are next scheduled to appear in Freeborn County District Court on at 1 p.m. Jan. 18.

Charges of simple robbery and aiding and abetting simple robbery each carry maximum penalties of 10 years in prison and a $20,000 fine.