By Kim McDarison
Willie Hearn, a Whitewater resident who is alleged to have robbed a BP gas station and convenience store on the city’s west side, was bound over for trial Friday after appearing before Walworth County Circuit Court Judge Peter Navis.
Hearn, 68, was arrested in May by members of the Whitewater Police Department after the agency received a report that an individual had displayed an object, believed to be a weapon, and forced an employee of the gas station to open the cash register, according to information released by the police department also in May.
The gas station and convenience store, known as the Raceway Food Mart, is located at 1138 W. Main Street, Whitewater.
Hearn has been charged with one felony count of armed robbery with a threat of force and five misdemeanor counts, ranging from resisting arrest to possession of cocaine, according to information released on the circuit court website.
On May 23, appearing before Walworth County Circuit Court Judge David Johnson, Hearn’s bail was set at $25,000.
On Friday, Hearn appeared before the judge via video conferencing and was represented by a court appointed public defender Mackenzie Renner.
During Friday’s hearing, Hearn waived his right to a preliminary hearing after which the court bound him over for trial.
An arraignment is set for June 26 at 2 p.m., according to court documents.
Hearn faces the following charges: a felony C count of armed robbery with threat of force, two misdemeanor A counts of resisting or obstructing an officer, a misdemeanor B count of disorderly conduct, and two misdemeanor U counts, including possession of cocaine and possession of drug paraphernalia.
In Wisconsin, a Class C felony is punishable by up to 40 years of confinement, a $100,000 fine or both. A Class A misdemeanor can carry a fine of up to $10,000, up to nine month of confinement or both. A Class B misdemeanor can carry a fine up to $1,000 and up to 90 days of confinement. A Class U misdemeanor can carry a fine up to $1,000 and up to six months of confinement.
An earlier story about the case is here: https://fortatkinsononline.com/whitewater-gas-station-robbery-suspect-to-face-one-felony-five-misdemeanor-counts/.
File photo.
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