Suspect apprehended in Idaho for knifepoint robbery.

Javier Borrego

Suspect apprehended in Idaho for knifepoint robbery.

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By Allison Scarbrough. Editor.

HART — A 31-year-old Shelby man was recently apprehended in Idaho and transported to Oceana County where he faces charges of armed robbery and felonious assault for allegedly robbing a man at knifepoint last August in Hart Township, stealing his cash and cell phone.

Javier Borrego, of 354 Pine St., faces up to life in prison for the armed robbery charge and four years in prison for the felonious assault charge. Borrego fled to Idaho when the investigation was underway, said Oceana County Sheriff’s Office Lt. Craig Mast. A transport company brought Borrego back to Michigan where he was arrested Nov. 2 on a warrant issued by the sheriff’s office and was lodged in the Oceana County Jail on $75,000 cash/surety bond.

Co-defendant Oscar Borrego, 39, of 186 Pine St., Shelby was arrested in August and also faces an armed robbery

Oscar Borrego

charge. It is alleged that Oscar Borrego was the driver during the robbery, and Javier Borrego held the knife to the victim’s throat.

Oscar Borrego allegedly drove the victim to Wilson’s General Store in Mears to cash a check. After the victim cashed the check, Borrego drove to the “back roads” in Hart Township “in the middle of nowhere,” Oceana County Prosecutor Joseph Bizon said.

Javier Borrego, who was sitting the back seat, put his arm around the victim’s neck from behind and held a knife to his throat, Mast said. The two men stole the victim’s cell phone and some cash. The victim received “a slight laceration under his chin on his neck,” Mast said.

A language barrier made the investigation drawn out, Mast said.

A preliminary conference in 78th District Court is set for Nov. 14 at 3 p.m.

Mast believes the two men are related but did not immediately have information regarding whether or not they are brothers.