4 face charges tied to strong-armed robbery

Published 10:52 am Tuesday, October 6, 2015

Four people have been charged in connection with the Sept. 17 strong-armed robbery at the intersection of Garfield Avenue and Front Street in Albert Lea.

According to the Freeborn County Attorney’s Office, a 17-year-old male and a 16-year-old male have been charged with first-degree aggravated robbery and aiding and abetting first-degree aggravated robbery.

A Rochester man has been charged with aiding and abetting first-degree aggravated robbery.

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According to Freeborn County District Court records, others involved identified Aaron Alexander Atchison, 19, as having participated in the Sept.17 incident. He was reportedly in the back passenger seat on the driver’s side of the vehicle the alleged assailants were riding in.

Corissa Jo Freeman, 19, the alleged driver of the vehicle used to flee the scene, has been charged with aiding and abetting first-degree aggravated robbery.

According to court documents, the alleged victim said a juvenile had jumped him from behind. He later told Albert Lea Police Department Detective Ben Mortensen that the juvenile ran behind him, punched him in the head and tackled him to the ground. The juvenile then reportedly took his backpack. The alleged victim said he then pursued the juvenile and tackled him in an effort to get his backpack.

A second juvenile reportedly got out of the blue Mini Cooper, grabbed the backpack and threw it into the car. The second juvenile then reportedly began to kick the victim in the head. Atchison is also accused of assaulting the victim.

The alleged victim’s backpack was turned in by a passerby. The backpack was reportedly empty. The alleged victim told police he had cash, clothing, a wallet and a student ID in the backpack.

The alleged victim, a 17-year-old Albert Lea boy, was taken on a backboard to the emergency room.

Freeman reportedly dropped off her three passengers at Burger King, according to court records.

About Sam Wilmes

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

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