A 36-year-old Minneapolis man is facing a felony robbery charge after prosecutors say he punched one teenage boy in the head and shoved another to steal his phone at a Saint Paul bus shelter in August. Cody Wayne Bruguier now faces a felony count of simple robbery and a misdemeanor count of fifth-degree assault stemming from the encounter on Snelling Avenue near Saint Clair Avenue.
According to MN Crime, two teenage boys were waiting at the bus shelter at about 8:20 p.m. on Aug. 17 when Bruguier rode up on a fat-tire bike. He allegedly punched one of the boys in the head, prompting that teen to flee to a pizzeria across the street. The outlet reports Bruguier then turned on the second boy, pushing his shoulder hard enough to knock the phone from his hand.
“Run Them Pockets”
After punching the first teen, Bruguier allegedly told him to “run them pockets,” the report states. The second boy later identified Bruguier to investigators, according to the same account. A criminal complaint was filed Aug. 19 in Ramsey County District Court, formally charging Bruguier in the case.
Investigators tracked the stolen phone to the area of Selby Avenue and Avon Street, where officers recovered it and returned it to its owner, per the report. Officers later found Bruguier on a bike at a gas station; when they told him to stop, he rode off and crashed before being taken into custody. Bruguier declined to be interviewed, the outlet adds.
Prior Convictions and Possible Penalties
The criminal complaint says Bruguier has two prior felony convictions for third-degree assault. Bail in the current case was set at $25,000.
Under Minnesota Statutes Section 609.24, a conviction for simple robbery can carry a prison sentence of up to 10 years, a fine of up to $20,000, or both. The fifth-degree assault count Bruguier faces is a misdemeanor, separate from the felony robbery charge.
