Probation For Man Who Stole Purse Moments After Release From Jail
Rochester, MN (KROC-AM News) - A Minneapolis man who went on a mini crime spree moments after his release from the Olmsted County jail has been sentenced to five-years on probation. 32-year-old Liban Barre was also given a stayed prison sentence and a jail term of 231 days, which he will not have to serve because he was given credit the time he has been in jail since his arrest in January of last year. The sentencing order also requires he pay over $2,000 in restitution.
Barre previously pleaded guilty to a felony credit card fraud charge through a plea agreement that led to the dismissal of six other felony counts.
He was arrested only a few hours following his release from the county jail after he used credit cards stolen from an employee of a business located near the jail to go on a shopping spree. He was caught because the driver of the taxicab he used for a ride to Apache Mall became suspicious when he paid using a credit card issued to a woman and told the driver he would need a ride to the Twin Cities after he finished shopping.
After the cab driver contacted police, they also heard from the downtown employee after she discovered her purse had been stolen. By the time officers caught up with Barre inside the shopping mall, he had already made about $4,000 in purchases using two stolen credit cards.
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