Unarmed robber sent to prison

Robert Brown with his attorney, Timothy Hayes, during a hearing in 27th Circuit Court last May.

By Allison Scarbrough. OCP Editor.

HART — The 30-year-old Hart man who committed the unarmed robbery at the Hart Express EZ Mart/Mobile gas station last April who fled from police the following day was sentenced to prison Monday, July 6, in 27th Circuit Court.

Robert Charles Brown was sentenced to a minimum of 29 months to a maximum of 15 years in a Michigan Department of Corrections prison for unarmed robbery and a minimum of 16 months to a maximum of two years in prison for fourth-degree fleeing and eluding. The terms are concurrent, and he received credit for 74 days served in jail. Brown pleaded guilty, May 27, to both counts. He was also ordered to pay $198 in fines and costs for each conviction, along with $220 in restitution for the unarmed robbery conviction.

After being on the lam for nearly five days after the robbery, Brown turned himself in to authorities. Local police spent several days searching for Brown. He had been spotted by police in the M-20/Oceana Drive area and fled in a vehicle. He was then seen in the Woodrow Road/112th Avenue area and fled on foot. The Lake County K-9 Unit was called in to track him, but rainfall made tracking difficult.

Brown testified last May that he acted alone and did not use a weapon during the robbery. “I nudged her over and took the money,” he said regarding the unarmed robbery of the female clerk.

When questioned by Judge Anthony Monton about the police chase the following day, Brown said, “I put it in four-wheel drive and floored it.”