Rochester Teen Charged With Aggravated Robbery
Rochester, MN (KROC-AM News) - An 18-year-old Rochester man has been charged with first-degree aggravated robbery for his alleged involvement in a robbery and assault earlier this week.
Calvin Cooper also faces a third-degree assault charge in the case. He was formally arraigned on the charges in Olmsted County Court on Friday and his conditional bail was set at $30,000.
The criminal complaint alleges Cooper and two juveniles severely beat a man who had gone to the home of one of the juveniles planning to sell them nicotine vape pens. Rochester police learned of the robbery when an officer on routine patrol late Wednesday night spotted a motorist driving recklessly and conducted a traffic stop. The officer found the driver bleeding profusely from his nose, apparently concussed, and with several chipped teeth. The man, who had dried blood all over his face, told the officer he had just been robbed by the two juveniles and Cooper.
The victim described a brutal attack that started when Cooper allegedly punched him directly between his eyes and the two juveniles then threw more punches at his face. The man told officers he was then kicked and punched all over his body while his attackers went through his pockets. He indicated that he eventually managed to escape by kicking one of his attackers in the leg.
The officer who made the traffic stop was able to identify the two juvenile suspects based on the description provided by the victim. The officer then went to the home where the assault allegedly occurred and found the trio with the stolen vape pens and blood on their clothing.