A Wisconsin man pleaded not guilty on last week in Freeborn County District Court to two attempted robberies at hotels in May in Albert Lea.

Armando Gonzales, 53, in both instances allegedly demanded access to a vehicle but ultimately fled on foot, according to court records.

In court on Wednesday, Gonzales invoked his Sixth Amendment right to a speedy trial.

Court documents allege Gonzales was a guest at the Midwestern Hotel on May 9 when he walked up to the front desk at 4:10 a.m. and held up a handgun to the clerk, requesting access to her vehicle.

The clerk managed to go into an office and closed the door. She stayed there for more than an hour and a half before she had the courage to open the door and call police. By that time, Gonzales had left the building and taken her cellphone with him, according to reports.

At 6:53 a.m., police were alerted to an attempted robbery at America’s Best Value Inn.

The owner of the car told police he went out to check on his car at about 6:30 a.m. because he had been having trouble with it. He found Gonzales inside the car ripping up his steering column and said the man showed him a gun and told him he wanted to take the car.

He ultimately fled the hotel parking lot and was later found talking to a person at 2417 SE Marshall St., carrying two bags.

Reports stated police found the gun to be a BB gun, but it looked like a semi-automatic pistol. It was loaded with BBs and charged. The car owner identified Gonzales in the surveillance video from the hotel.

Gonzales reportedly told police he needed a vehicle to return to Texas.

His trial is slated for July 15. One count of first-degree attempted aggravated robbery has a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison and a $17,500 fine.

Gonzales faces two counts, one for the attempted robberies at each hotel.