L-R: Cory Schmitz, Michael Thorpe and Beau Wastel (Photos courtesy Outagamie County Sheriff's Office)
APPLETON, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) – One of the suspects allegedly connected to the armed robbery where a store employee was hit with a pipe wrench pleaded not guilty Monday.
Michael Thorpe, 39, faces three counts, including being party to armed robbery. A Jan. 22 trial date was set.
According to criminal complaints, Beau Wastel, 32, of Wausaukee, walked into Affordable Rare Coins in Grand Chute on Aug. 10. 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 allegedly 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 Thorpe. Thorpe, 29, of Appleton, “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, 34, of Appleton, 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.
All three face charges of armed robbery, substantial battery – intend bodily harm and criminal damage to property.
Wastel returns to court Nov. 14. Schmitz has a preliminary hearing Nov. 27.
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