Man appears on robbery charge tied to ’15 incident

Published 10:20 pm Wednesday, May 31, 2017

An Albert Lea man made his first appearance  Wednesday in Freeborn County District Court on a charge tied to injuring a person during a fall 2015 robbery.

Isaiah Ray Talamantes, 22, is charged with first-degree aggravated robbery. His first appearance on the charge came one day after police arrested him on local warrants Tuesday night at 702 E. 18th St.

Court documents state Talamantes was charged after the alleged victim — who was known to Talamantes — said a van pulled up and parked ahead of him Oct. 10, 2015, as he was traveling north on Euclid Avenue. Talamantes was reportedly recognized as the driver of the van, and he allegedly approached the victim, punching him in the face and threatening to severely harm or kill the alleged victim. He told the victim to give him his iPhone and wallet. After receiving the items, Talamantes allegedly emptied the wallet of cash, a gift card and a rewards card before he dropped the wallet on the ground. 

Isaiah Ray Talamantes

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Court documents state the alleged victim gave Talamantes his shoes and hat after he demanded the items. Talamantes allegedly punched the alleged victim a second time and threatened to jump the alleged victim again if he called the police.

The victim reportedly had redness and swelling around his right eye and cheekbone and was treated by paramedics at the scene.

Three passengers were allegedly in the van at the time of the incident. One passenger reportedly told a family member that he had participated in a robbery that night.

Someone who was known to Talamantes and the alleged victim said she believed Talamantes probably became upset because she recently called and yelled at him.

Court documents state Talamantes told a police officer over the phone the following day he was watching his friend’s children the previous night, but he could not provide a name or an address for the person. He reportedly refused to come to the police station and swore at the officer.

Talamantes failed to appear in court Aug. 25, 2011, and he has juvenile adjudications for terroristic threats and first-degree burglary.

District Court Judge Steven Schwab set unconditional bail for Talamantes at $100,000.

In a separate file, Talamantes is charged with motor vehicle theft and unauthorized use of a motor vehicle tied to a June 2015 alleged incident.   

His next court appearance on the two files is scheduled for June 8. First-degree aggravated robbery carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison and a $35,000 fine.

About Sam Wilmes

Sam Wilmes covers crime, courts and government for the Albert Lea Tribune.

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