APPLETON, Wis. (WBAY) – An Appleton man was sentenced to more than 10 years in prison for an Armed robbery at a Grand Chute coin store and the beating of a worker.
A jury found Michael Thorpe guilty of being party to the crimes of Armed robbery, substantial battery and criminal damage to property at the trial.
Prosecutors said Thorpe, 40, was identified by co-defendant Beau Wastel as identifying the coin store as an “easy mark” for $15,000.
The criminal complaint says Wastel entered the store disguised as a woman and beat the lone worker on the head with a pipe wrench. Police say about $30,000 worth of coins were stolen. Thorpe kept half of the coins and his two co-defendants shared the rest.
Thorpe told police he pawned his stolen coins for $300.
He was sentenced Friday to 10 years in prison for the robbery and an additional year for the assault, followed by 15 years under extended supervision. A nine-month sentence for damaging property will be served concurrently.
Wastel has a plea hearing coming up in one month. He’s charged with being party to Armed robbery with the use of force, substantial battery intending bodily harm, and criminal damage to property, plus two counts of felony bail jumping. He’s currently in the Oshkosh Correctional Institution for taking a car without the owner’s consent.
Co-defendant Cory Schmitz faces the same charges as Thorpe, plus felony and misdemeanor bail jumping charges. He’s awaiting a trial date. His next hearing is in September. Online court records show he’s at Redgranite Correctional for violating probation.
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