L-R: Cory Schmitz, Michael Thorpe and Beau Wastel (Photos courtesy Outagamie County Sheriff's Office)
APPLETON, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) – The suspect who allegedly walked into a Grand Chute coin store disguised in a wig and dress, hit an employee with a pipe wrench, and left with merchandise, pleaded not guilty Thursday.
Beau Wastel, 32, also waived his preliminary hearing Thursday on five counts, including armed robbery and substantial battery. No trial date was set. Wastel returns to court Dec. 18 for a scheduling conference.
According to criminal complaints, Wastel, 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 Michael 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.
Schmitz has a preliminary hearing Nov. 27. Thorpe has a jury trial scheduled for Jan. 22.
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