Man allegedly hit 3 stores before arrest in fast food line

The same day he was released from the Mower County jail after posting bail, Dylan Arthur Leeper, 22, was arrested in a McDonald’s line on suspicion of committing two armed robberies, shoplifting from Walmart and assaulting a gas station worker.

Austin Police Chief Brian Krueger said Leeper, who has previously been charged in several prior incidents, was released from jail Thursday before being arrested that night on suspicion of the shoplifting incident and the robberies at Reed’s Fourth Ave. and Hari Food Mart, which were allegedly committed with a black handgun.

According to the report, an officer was en route to take a shoplifting report from Walmart at about 7:30 p.m. when a call came in for an armed robbery at Reed’s Fourth Ave, 901 Fourth Ave. NE. The officer changed routes and while taking the report at Reed’s, a second call came at about 7:50 p.m. for an armed robbery at Hari Food Mart, 709 21st St. NE. A detective and canine were called in to track the suspect.

The loss prevention officer at Walmart informed the Austin police officer that the shoplifter was Leeper, and the worker outlined his description and clothing, which matched both armed robberies.

Leeper allegedly assaulted a female worker at Reed’s, hitting her at least twice. He also got away with an undisclosed amount of cash from Hari Food Mart.

Officers were informed by several witnesses at Hari Food Mart that Leeper went south in a silver Ford Taurus. Less than an hour later, officers saw Leeper run across the street to McDonald’s at 1009 W. Oakland Ave.

Officers took him into custody while he was waiting to order food inside the restaurant.

The silver Taurus was parked nearby, and an 18-year-old woman, the owner of the vehicle, was also taken into custody for possible charges of aiding and abetting an armed robbery.

Leeper faces possible charges of armed robbery and assault, though the investigation is still ongoing.

Leeper was in jail earlier this year for beating a pizza delivery driver to steal his money, escaping from a Mower County court room, was on probation for allegedly stealing cars and getting into several accidents in southwest Austin. He has also been charged with shoplifting in another case.

County officials confirmed Leeper had posted $100,000 conditional bond before the alleged spree, even though he had been scheduled to be sentenced on Nov. 25 after taking a plea deal in regards to his multiple prior cases on Oct. 9. He had pleaded guilty to one charge of felony theft, one charge of felony escape from custody, one charge of felony aggravated robbery, one charge misdemeanor theft/shoplifting, and one charge misdemeanor fleeing an officer in a vehicle — the result of multiple cases.