Faribault Man Charged in Downtown Rochester Knife-Point Robbery
Rochester, MN (KROC-AM News)- Prosecutors have charged a Faribault man in connection to a knife-point robbery reported in downtown Rochester Wednesday afternoon.
41-year-old Brandon Carmichael was arraigned on felony charges of aggravated first-degree robbery and simple robbery in Olmsted County Court Thursday. A judge set his bail at $40,000.
The criminal complaint says Rochester police officers met with the robbery victim at a hotel. The victim said he had lunch at a downtown Rochester restaurant and saw a man, later identified as Carmichael, watch him pay.
The victim then left the restaurant around 3:15 p.m. and was walking south on Broadway Ave. when he felt a bump from behind at the intersection of Broadway Ave. and 1st St. Northeast. He told officers he then saw Carmichael with a knife in his hand and said Carmichael asked him for money, the complaint states.
The victim complied with Carmichael and gave his description to officers. Police then went to the Salvation Army where they found Carmichael still armed with the knife. The victim identified Carmichael as the alleged robber through surveillance photos and during a show-up identification, according to the complaint.
Court records indicate Carmichael has a criminal record dating back to 2004 that includes convictions for theft, felony threats and felony domestic assault. Olmsted County Jail records indicate Carmichael was returned to the jail after his arraignment. His next court appearance in the robbery case is set for January 26.
