FARGO
A man accused of robbing a liquor store and two convenience stores in Fargo told police he got the idea after hearing about another robbery at a pizza joint, court documents state.
Michael Hanson told police he robbed a Stop-N-Go where he had formerly worked - about three hours after first getting the idea.
Hanson also admitted to burglarizing several garages and businesses, including the Teamsters union hall, and detailed for police the plans behind the robberies, court documents state.
Hanson, 37, is expected to make an initial appearance this morning on charges that he committed armed robbery at Empire Liquors and two Stop-N-Go locations. Hanson told police his "drug acquaintance," Jeremy Leopold, served as a getaway driver in two of the robberies. Leopold, 32, is charged with two felony counts of accomplice to robbery and is being held on $100,000 cash or bond bail.
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Cass County District Court documents state:
Hanson told police he used a BB gun or a glue gun with the cord cut off on June 27 to rob a clerk of about $3,000 from Stop-N-Go at 204 42nd St. S. He then told Leopold about the robbery, who offered to give him a ride if he was going to do more robberies, Hanson told police.
The two initially went to Stop-N-Go at 3216 12th Ave. N. on July 6 with the intention of robbing it, but discovered it was closed. Leopold then drove around looking for a place that "felt right" and arrived at Empire Liquors West, 4861 13th Ave. S.
Hanson said he made off with about $1,200, but gave Leopold $500 and told him he got about $1,000.
Hanson told police things just didn't feel right when they returned to rob Stop-N-Go at 3216 12th Ave. N. on July 19. He explained he had been tweaking and doing drugs just prior to the robbery and had to hide behind a Dumpster because people kept entering the store. At one point he threw up, he said.
When Hanson showed the clerk two pieces of wood held together with Duct tape, the clerk challenged him and said it wasn't a gun. He said he told the clerk it didn't make a difference because it wasn't the clerk's money and said he also had a knife.
The clerk then handed over several hundred dollars. As Hanson ran away, he lost his hat, which police later found. He told police he threw away the clothes he was wearing during the robberies.
An anonymous caller who named Hanson as a suspect told police Hanson had said he was upset about leaving the hat behind.
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The Forum of Fargo-Moorhead and the Herald are Forum Communications Co. newspapers.
