Published: March 20, 2008 06:13 pm            

Casa Ole’ robbers plead guilty

By Debby Schamber

The Orange Leader



Two Orange men plead guilty earlier this month to the Jan. 15 aggravated robbery of the Casa Ole restaurant on 16th Street.

Kristopher Jaraad Edwards, 19, and Adrian Devonne Jones, 17, could both face a first degree felony punishment range of 5 to 99 years in prison at their separate sentencings next month.

Edwards is expected to appear before Judge Dennis Powell in the 163rd District Court on April 24 for sentencing while Jones is scheduled to appear in the same courtroom April 2.

Casa Ole’ employees informed investigators that at about 7:30 p.m. on Jan. 15, with customers still in the restaurant, two armed men entered the building wearing hooded sweatshirts, dark clothing and some type of masks over their faces. The pair demanded money from the clerk manning the register at the entrance of the business. Police said the clerk complied with the suspects’ demands and the men left with an undetermined amount of cash.

Both Edwards and Jones were later identified as suspects in the crime and arrested just a few short days later by Orange Police Officers.

According to police reports, Edwards confessed to officers that he was involved in the aggravated robbery during interrogation.

Reach this reporter at 409-883-3571, Ext. 2613, or dschamber@orangeleader.com

        

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