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Armed robbery suspects in court
The two men who allegedly robbed a Pipestone store with a pellet gun and then led police on a high-speed chase before being caught in a cornfield around Hatfield, appeared in court for a second time, Tuesday, Oct. 27.
As a result of the court appearance, an omnibus hearing was set for Ronald Alexander Hernandez, 25, of Worthington, for Nov. 10 at 2 p.m., and for Luis Antonio Torres, 21, of Minneapolis on Nov. 3 at 2 p.m.
Hernandez is charged with three felony offenses of aiding and abetting aggravated robbery in the first degree, aiding and abetting aggravated robbery in the second degree and theft. Torres faces three felony charges of aggravated robbery in the second degree and theft. Both men face maximum sentences of 40 years imprisonment, a fine of $75,000, or both.
Both men remain in Pipestone County jail with a $30,000 bond requirement. Public defender Terry Vajgrt argued for reduced bail for Hernandez. Vajgrt said Hernandez was not a flight risk because he has a “near-lack” of previous involvement with the law and has lived in Worthington with his parents for the last nine years and has two children in Worthington. He also said Hernandez has been cooperative throughout the investigation, including showing Sheriff’s deputies where they had thrown the pellet gun out the window as they were fleeing the deputies. Vajgrt said Hernandez was eager to get a job and to join an Alcoholics Anonymous program in Worthington.
“He does not have near the money for a $30,000 bond,” Vajgrt said.
Asst. county attorney Damain Sandy said that given the seriousness of the offenses, “$30,000 is not an unreasonable amount by any means.”
Pipestone County District Court Judge David Christensen refused Vajgrt’s request.
Both men were apprehended Oct. 13 after they allegedly robbed, using a pellet gun, Cid’s Latino Grocery of nearly $5,000 and then fled police by car and by foot before Pipestone County Sheriff’s deputies caught the men in a cornfield near the intersection of 130th Ave. and 41st St.
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