Beau Wastel appears before Outagamie County court, August 27, 2025. PC: Fox 11 Online
APPLETON, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) – Beau Wastel was sentenced Thursday to 18 years in prison for walking into a coin store in a wig and dress, hitting an employee with a pipe wrench, and leaving with merchandise.
Wastel, 33, was also placed on extended supervision for 12 years by Judge Carrie Schneider for armed robbery. He also must help pay $28,190.94 in restitution for the stolen items and victim’s medical bills.
Before the sentence was issued, the father of the store clerk described the lasting impact the attack has had on his son, and asked for the maximum sentence.
Wastel apologized to the clerk and store owner.
“I’m ashamed of my actions. I’m trying to do everything that I can to get to my family. I’ve just had my first son born. I need to straighten my life out. I’m trying to get any kind of treatment that is available to me,” Wastel said.
Judge Schneider pointed out Wastel knew the mother was pregnant when he committed the crime. She noted his litany of previous offenses involving violence and thefts, and was on probation at the time of this robbery.
“I don’t know what’s going to stop you,” she said.
Previously, Michael Thorpe was sentenced to 16 years in prison for his role in the caper. Cory Schmitz is awaiting trial.
According to criminal complaints, Wastel walked into Affordable Rare Coins in Grand Chute on Aug. 10, 2024. He allegedly asked to see a baseball card in a case, and when the employee bent over to open the case, prosecutors say Wastel hit him in the head with the wrench. The employee ran out of the store and Wastel ran after him, continuing to swing the wrench at him.
Surveillance video showed Wastel then going back into the store, smashing a display case, and running out with property from the case.
After police issued a news release, they say several tips led them to Wastel. In an interview, Wastel said that Cory Schmitz introduced him to Michael Thorpe. Thorpe “told Wastel he had a ‘lick’ that was going to be easy and they would get approximately $15,000,” according to the criminal complaint. Thorpe and Wastel agreed to split the proceeds, prosecutors say. Schmitz allegedly received a few coins for introducing Wastel and Thorpe to each other.
Thorpe told police he pawned his coins, using a fake ID, and received $300.
Comments