Man pleads guilty to mugging
Published 9:22 am Wednesday, March 16, 2011
The third young man charged with the mugging of a downtown business owner in December has entered a guilty plea in Freeborn County District Court.
Shepperd Lawrence Robins-Priestley, 19, of Albert Lea, pleaded guilty on Friday to one count of aiding and abetting simple robbery tied to the Dec. 30 mugging of the owner of Adams Originals, 238 S. Broadway Ave. The plea came as part of an agreement between his public defender, Evan Larson, and the Freeborn County Attorney’s Office.
He is scheduled to be sentenced at 2:30 p.m. June 6.
Robins-Priestley was initially charged with two counts — one of simple robbery and one of aiding and abetting simple robbery.
His plea follows that of co-defendants Michael and Adam Haas, 20 and 18 respectively, of Albert Lea. Adam Haas pleaded guilty to simple robbery, and Michael Haas pleaded guilty to aiding and abetting simple robbery.
Adam Haas is believed to be the actual perpetrator of the mugging.
He is believed to have grabbed the store owner and then reached into her
side pocket, pulling out her checkbook, according to court documents.
The men fled after the incident and were later found by police in a truck in the alley near the Haas residence.
Ultimately, $95 in cash, a Visa card and checks were stolen.