A Duluth man will spend two years in prison for stealing a wallet from a man walking home from the store in Superior.
William Lee Roner, 41, pleaded guilty in Douglas County Circuit Court on June 28 to an amended count of felony theft. He was sentenced to two years in prison and two years of extended supervision. He was also ordered to pay $280 restitution and court costs and have no contact with the victim. One count of battery was dismissed.
District Attorney Mark Fruehauf stressed that Roner had 42 prior convictions. Judge George Glonek agreed there was a need to protect the public and that it was not a probation case.
According to the criminal complaint: Roner walked up to the man near Tower Avenue and North 20th Street the evening of Jan. 10 and asked for money. When the victim reached into his pocket and pulled out cash, Roner grabbed all the cash out of his hand, punched him in the face and took off running.
The victim then picked up a jacket Roner dropped during the pursuit and found Roner’s driver’s license inside.
