Man pleads guilty to 2016 gas station robberies

Published 12:39 pm Saturday, March 25, 2017

A 22-year-old has pleaded guilty to robbing two gas stations last August.

Brandon Lee Dudley of Austin reached a plea agreement in Mower County District Court and pleaded guilty to second-degree aggravated robbery for robbing Casey’s General Store in southwest Austin on Aug. 31, 2016, and Ankeny’s Mini-Mart on Aug. 24, 2016.

Brandon Dudley

Brandon Dudley

He was originally charged with first-degree aggravated robbery and possession of a dangerous weapon.

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According to court complaints, Dudley allegedly walked into Casey’s, located at 1702 12th St. SW, with a navy blue or black drawstring bag on Aug. 31. He allegedly wore a light gray hooded sweatshirt, a white T-shirt, dark pants, dark shoes, sunglasses, a black mask and carried a semi-automatic gun.

Witnesses saw him run into a minivan after the Casey’s robber, and one of the employees later recognized Dudley’s voice, according to the complaint.

Police later located several clothing items in the middle of the road at County Road 28 near Fourth Drive Southwest.

An officer found a black glove a few days later, which police later matched with another glove found inside a minivan during a traffic stop.

In addition, numerous people came forward with tips after identifying Dudley’s shoes and drawstring bag, according to the complaint.

Dudley also faced charges for failing to register as a predatory offender and a fifth-degree drug possession charge.

His sentencing is scheduled for April 27.