GOSHEN —
Two teens accused of robbing a Goshen gas station had their initial hearings in Elkhart Circuit Court Thursday morning.
Darius Thomas, 17, 1824 College Manor Drive, and Andres Torres Jr., 17, 824 S. 11th St., both of Goshen, are charged with robbery while armed with a deadly weapon. If convicted, they each face up to 20 years in prison on the Class B felony charge.
Judge Terry Shewmaker set a trial date of Aug. 20 for Thomas and Torres, and appointed public defenders to represent them. Thomas and Torres are each incarcerated on $100,000 bond.
Goshen police were called to Thomas’ home May 22 in reference to a shooting. Officers later reportedly learned that Thomas had accidentally shot himself in the left foot with a pistol-gripped, sawed-off shotgun.
According to police, officers later determined Thomas had been involved in the May 20 armed robbery of the BP gas station at 224 N. Main St. Further investigation led to the arrest of Torres.
On crutches and with his left foot bandaged, Thomas made his way with difficulty in and out of the Goshen courtroom. He was assisted by court personnel and an attorney.
Asked by Judge Shewmaker if he had any questions, Thomas replied, “How come I’m being charged with robbery?” Chief public defender Cliff Williams had a brief, whispered conference with Thomas, who then told the judge he had no further questions.
Trial delayed
In other court proceedings Thursday, the trial of a Goshen man charged with murder was rescheduled.
Daniel Heflin, 21, was set to go to trial Monday in connection with the March 22 shooting death of John E. Staub, 26; David Paul Goble suffered a gunshot wound to the leg in the same incident in Goshen. At the request of defense attorneys, Heflin’s trial was reset to Aug. 20.
Chief deputy prosecutor Vicki Becker said Thursday the original plea deal offered to Heflin has expired, and that there won’t be something “at that level” offered again.
Becker also said prosecutors and defense attorneys have had good discussions about the future of the case.
Heflin is charged with murder, attempted murder and conspiracy to commit murder. Prosecutors are also seeking a criminal gang sentence enhancement against Heflin.
According to a charging affidavit, the shooting stemmed from a dispute earlier between Goble and William Terry, 25, Goshen. Terry is charged with conspiracy to commit murder, and prosecutors are seeking the gang sentence enhancement against him as well.
Robber sentenced
Late last year, an 18-year-old man committed six robberies over a nine-day period in Elkhart to feed his crack cocaine habit. On Thursday, he was sentenced to 46 years in prison.
Zohnpierre Perkins, now 19, Elkhart, was one of four people arrested in connection with a string of armed robberies that occurred Nov. 21 to Dec. 1. One of the hold-ups took place at Skinner the Printer, and owner Mike Cooper said the incident traumatized the clerk.
“When (Perkins) presented the gun at the clerk in the store, the clerk said, ‘You don’t want to do this,’” according to Cooper, and Perkins said he did.
“The threat of shooting someone for money is something I take very seriously,” Cooper said on the witness stand.
Perkins apologized for his actions, saying he’s been making bad decisions since the age of 13 — roughly the same age his attorney said Perkins started raising himself, living in abandoned buildings and with friends.
“The worst thing I regret is putting those people through what I did,” he said of the crime spree. Perkins said a BB gun was used during the robberies, but the victims didn’t know that.
“They were in fear for their lives,” he said.
Local News
Related Photos
-
Andre Torres, 17, of Goshen was arrested Friday in connection with the robbery of a Goshen convenience store.
-
Darius Thomas, 17, of Goshen, was arrested Friday in connection with the robbery of a Goshen convenience store.
Teens face 20 years on armed robbery charges
- Local News
-
-
Jeep enters Depot building
A Jeep Grand Cherokee struck the main entrance of The Depot building, located at 1013 Division St., Goshen.
-
Reminisce days a big hit in Shipshewana
Diane Green and her aunt Lydia Moore drove from lower Illinois to Shipshewana Saturday morning to pick up quilting fabric.
-
Concert series to benefit ministry
It is summer and time for outdoor music. It is also the beginning of First Fridays — a concert series hosted by the local community ministry, Reason 4 Hope.
-
Planners like changes to CVS parking lot
Access to the CVS at 410 S. Main St. in Goshen could soon be easier for those with disabilities following a ruling by the Goshen Plan Commission Tuesday afternoon.
During their meeting Tuesday, Goshen Plan Commission members gave their blessing to a request by CVS Pharmacy and State Permits Inc. for a major change to the CVS Planned Unit Development that seeks to reconfigure the north portion of the parking lot to increase the overall Americans with Disabilities Act accessibility of the site. The final site plan for the PUD was also approved by the commission Tuesday, and the request will now be forwarded on to the Goshen City Council with a favorable recommendation. -
Council won’t fund school sidewalks
GOSHEN — Goshen City Council members voted along party lines Tuesday to defeat a proposal by Goshen Community Schools for a 50-50 cost split between the city and the school corporation to pay for a $125,000 sidewalk expansion project.
-
'Experience Michiana' segments to be taped in Goshen
The crew with WNIT program “Experience Michiana” is set to tape segments in Goshen this week. The segments will be broadcast June 27 and 28.
-
State officials warn people to be alert at fairs, festivals
The Indiana Department of Homeland Security and state police are reminding state residents to be alert for safety concerns when attending county fairs and other local festivals.
-
SLIDESHOW: Pets of the Week
Featured pets available for adoption at the Humane Society of Elkhart County.
-
Goshen officials donate former Hawks Building to LaCasa
An agreement between Goshen city government and LaCasa Inc. allowing for the donation of the former Hawks Building to the local non-profit was approved Monday.
-
LIBRARY NEWS: Reading programs underway
Summer reading programs for young people are underway at the Goshen library.
- More Local News Headlines
-
James Gandolfini Dies at Age 51
Fmr. TWA Flight 800 Investigators Want New Probe
Raw: Heat, Spurs Back on Court Ahead of Game 7
Dolce and Gabbana Convicted of Tax Evasion
Paris, Prince Depositions Used in Jackson Trial
Coiffed Cattle Get Their Close-up
In Berlin, Obama Channels Cold War Activism
Police at Patriots Tight End's Home for 2nd Day
Fed Suggests Bond Purchases Could Slow
AP: DOJ Broke Own Rules Seizing Phone Records
Raw: Baby White Rhino Debuts at Australian Zoo
Time Lapse: Rebuilding Bridge Post-collapse
Ohio Woman Accuses 3 of Holding Her Captive
Hunt for Ex-Teamster Boss Hoffa's Remains Ends
