Alleged accomplice also charged

The man who was arrested in a McDonald’s line on suspicion of committing two armed robberies, shoplifting from Walmart and assaulting a gas station worker the same day he was released from jail after posting bond was charged Friday, as was his alleged accomplice.

Dylan Arthur Leeper, 22,who has previously been charged in several prior incidents, was released from jail Thursday after posting $100,000 bond 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.

Leeper was charged Friday in Mower County court with two counts of felony aggravated robbery, three counts of felony second-degree assault with a dangerous weapon, one count of felony fifth-degree assault and misdemeanor theft.

According to the court complaint, Leeper shoplifted from Walmart during two different trips Thursday, stealing a black hat one time and a Minnesota Golden Gopher’s bag a second time. The Walmart asset protection officer recognized Leeper and told the Austin police officers Leeper was wearing gray sweatpants and a red sweatshirt.

An officer was en route to take the 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 he found out the suspect was likely Leeper because the clothing description matched, according to the report.

The officer then went back to Walmart and reviewed the video surveillance, which showed Leeper take both the hat and the bag during two trips. The report said Leeper was accompanied by a white female and he left in a silver 2005 Ford Taurus.

Two more deputies responded to Reed’s, where they learned Leeper had assaulted a store clerk, hitting her at least twice. Deputies also learned later Leeper wore a black bandanna over his face and black gloves, and had a black handgun and the Gopher bag. He demanded money, which the store clerk refused, and he tried to grab the cash register. The clerk intervened and Leeper struck her once with his left hand and once more with the handgun.

While the deputies were setting up a perimeter to search for Leeper after the first robbery, a second call came at about 7:50 p.m. for another armed robbery at Hari Food Mart Shell gas, 709 21st St. NE, involving a suspect with the same description as Leeper.

The deputies responded to Hari Food Mart and learned from several witnesses that Leeper fled the area in a silver car that had been parked on Sixth Avenue Northeast. The store clerk said Leeper came in, pointed the gun at him and demanded money and cigarettes, which the store clerk gave him. The clerk’s description matched Leeper.

One witness told deputies he was approaching the gas station when he saw Leeper at the counter pointing the handgun at the clerk. Leeper left the gas station and pointed the gun at the witness.

Less than an hour later, officers saw Leeper run near a silver Taurus to the McDonald’s at 1009 W. Oakland Ave. After resisting arrest, Leeper was taken into custody. He had $609 on him at the time.

Officers recovered the Minnesota Golden Gophers bag, along with the red sweatshirt and a bandana from the Taurus.

During the ordeal, Leeper was believed to be accompanied by Amber Katusky, according to the report, who owned the silver Taurus and was later arrested and charged with two counts of aiding and abetting aggravated robbery with possession of a dangerous weapon — both felonies. Katusky was found at her residence on the 1000th block of West Oakland Avenue. She told officers she picked up Leeper from the jail, and later took another person to work in Myrtle and Leeper rode along. She said Leeper went out to get McDonald’s while she took a shower. She told officers she had the only keys to the car.

At the jail, Leeper saw Katusky and screamed, “Amber, do not say anything,” according to the report.

Leeper’s release from jail came after he posted $100,000 conditional bond before the alleged spree, even though he had been scheduled to be sentenced 13 days later on Nov. 25 after taking a plea deal in regards to his multiple prior cases on Oct. 9.

The charges stem from Leeper beating a pizza delivery driver to steal his money and escaping from a Mower County court room. Leeper 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.

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 the multiple cases.

Leeper and Katusky are both due in court next on Nov. 25.