WILLMAR -- Formal charges have been filed against a 24-year-old Willmar man who allegedly robbed a local liquor store in December.
Ezekiel Guy Fuentes made an initial appearance Tuesday on felony charges of simple robbery, theft and a fifth-degree controlled substance violation. Fuentes was also charged with a misdemeanor count of criminal damage to property in the fourth degree.
Fuentes is being held on conditional release of $40,000 bond or $5,000 cash.
The charges were filed against Fuentes after an almost comical robbery Dec. 19 at Gerry's Liquors along Litchfield Avenue Southwest.
The complaint alleges that Fuentes, who was a regular customer in the store, stole around $600 from the till while attempting to purchase a 40-ounce bottle of beer. After snatching the cash from the till he allegedly crashed to the floor after slamming into a display while fleeing, breaking the 40-ounce.
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Fuentes was later identified on surveillance footage by an employee from the liquor store who had served time with Fuentes in the Kandiyohi County Jail. Authorities were later able to obtain a search warrant for an apartment along the 200 block of Fifth Street Southwest, where Fuentes was thought to be.
Fuentes was found in the apartment, the complaint states. The money was not located, but authorities found 2 grams of cocaine in a Bible with Fuentes' name on it, the complaint states.
Fuentes is scheduled to appear in court again Jan. 25.
