Fridley Man Sentenced For Robbing Retail Store

MINNEAPOLIS—Earlier today in federal court, a 46-year-old Fridley man was sentenced for robbing a Discount Tobacco and Groceries retail store at 315 Osborne Road Northeast in Fridley. United States District Court Judge Joan N. Ericksen sentenced Steven Eugene Daniels to 160 months in prison on one count of interference with commerce by robbery pursuant to the Hobbs Act. Daniels was indicted on September 11, 2012, and pleaded guilty on November 27, 2012.

In his plea agreement, Daniels admitted that on June 14, 2012, he and another man, who was carrying a firearm, entered the Discount Tobacco and Groceries store in Fridley. Both men then forced the store clerk to open the cash register. Daniels stole money from the cash register before both robbers fled the store. Daniels was later apprehended.

The Hobbs Act, passed by Congress in 1946, provides for federal jurisdiction for cases involving violent, habitual criminals who commit armed robbery in businesses involved in interstate commerce.

This case was the result of an investigation by the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Anoka County Police Department. It was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Richard A. Newberry.