2 Albert Lea men charged for aggravated robbery

Published 8:01 pm Monday, March 18, 2024

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Two Albert Lea men were charged Monday in Freeborn County District Court tied to an alleged armed robbery on Friday in the area of Pillsbury Avenue and Sheridan Street in Albert Lea.

Sa Ka Paw Htoo, 22, and Eh Wah Htoo, 19, each face one count of aiding and abetting aggravated first-degree robbery. Police stated a juvenile was also arrested tied to the case.

The court complaint states police were dispatched at about 11:41 p.m. Friday for a report of a firearm being pointed at a vehicle.

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The victim met an officer near the intersection of Pillsbury Avenue and Sheridan Street and told the officer he had arranged a meeting to sell marijuana. When he arrived at the meeting place, he saw the male he was supposed to meet, as well as Sa Htoo. They reportedly both got into the victim’s vehicle — one in the front seat and another in the back.

A third person, identified as Eh Htoo, then reportedly approached the vehicle, opened the door to the vehicle and then pointed a shotgun at the victim. Eh Htoo then reportedly racked the shotgun, after which the victim gave him his wallet and two cell phones. They also took about an ounce of marijuana before all three fled in a dark gray Honda Accord.

Sa Htoo reportedly told police he had thought he and the other two males were just going to buy marijuana and then go back to his house and smoke it and that out of nowhere the robbery occurred.

He told police Eh Htoo came to the driver’s door where the victim was seated, and the victim then gave them his stuff.

Sa Htoo then took a small satchel from the back of the victim’s car.

When an officer attempted to talk to Eh Htoo, he reportedly denied being in the car and insisted he had nothing to do with it.

Court documents state officers found multiple firearms, pills, marijuana, multiple phones and the victim’s wallet in the Honda.

District Court Judge Christy Hormann set bail for each of the men at $200,000 without conditions or $100,000 with conditions.

Their next hearings are slated for March 28.