Ankeny’s robbery suspect gets probation
Published 7:51 am Friday, June 30, 2017
A man who pleaded guilty to the Nov. 19, 2015, armed robbery of Ankeny’s Mini Mart No. 4 will serve 25 years of probation.
Bradley Matthew Clark, 21, of Austin was sentenced to a stayed prison term of four years and 10 months in Mower County District Court on Thursday, meaning he’ll serve the 25 years of probation as long as he follows 25 conditions. He must also pay $135 in fines and $1,679.31 in restitution.
Clark initially pleaded not guilty to the charge of felony aggravated robbery with possession of a dangerous weapon on Jan. 28, 2016. He amended his plea to guilty on Oct. 10, 2016.
According to court records, officers responded to a call of an armed robbery at Ankeny’s Mini Mart No. 4, located at 902 12th St. SW, at 8:45 a.m. on Nov. 19, 2015.
An employee told police the robber was wearing a black hooded sweatshirt with white swirls, a ski mask and gloves. He was armed with a hunting knife and demanded money. The employee gave him about $175 from the register, after which he told her to get on the floor. After he left, the employee called the police.
The store’s video surveillance confirmed the employee’s story and showed the suspect fleeing across the parking lot. Officers spoke to neighbors who identified Clark, who was residing in the 700 block of 18th Street Southwest, as the possible suspect. Police also found a neighbor with a surveillance camera that showed footage of Clark riding a bike past the residence.
On Nov. 20, 2015, officers spoke with someone Clark was living with. She confirmed he had a hoodie and bike matching the description. Police searched the house with permission and found Clark in the basement, along with a “significant amount of heroin paraphernalia.” They later found the bicycle as well as the clothing and the knife used in the robbery.
After his arrest, Clark reportedly did not speak much, but later admitted to the robbery in a subsequent interview. He said that know one else was involved and he used the money to buy drugs. He also said he “turned around six times” before going into the store.
