Eagan Man Sentenced to Stayed Prison Term Following String of Robberies

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An Eagan man whose crime spree ended when he attempted to rob a plainclothes detective pleaded guilty to two counts of first-degree aggravated robbery and received a stayed, 48-month prison sentence, probation and jail time according to the Minnesota courts database.

James Edward Stevenson, 26, in Eagan.

Police were dispatched to the area after both victims called to report the robberies. In both circumstances, the victims said a man approached them, demanded that they empty their pockets and pointed a gun at them. One victim was allegedly pistol-whipped by the suspect.

Later that evening, police say Eagan approached a third victim, unaware that the man was actually a plainclothes officer who had arrived at the scene. When the officer identified himself, Stevenson allegedly fled, dropping what appeared to be a black handgun as he ran.

After a brief chase, the detective apprehended the suspect. Police later recovered the gun—which turned out to be a black pellet gun resembling a handgun.

In addition to his stayed prison sentence, Stevenson was sentenced at a court hearing on May 22 to 120 days confinement in the Dakota County Jail, with 20 days credit for time served. The terms of his 10-year probation also require that he remain law-abiding, submit to random drug testing and pay restitution.