News and Press Releases
Man sentenced for armed robberies of Quiznos and Subway Sandwich shops
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 14, 2012
MINNEAPOLIS—Earlier today in federal court, a 25-year-old man was sentenced for armed robberies of two Subway sandwich shops and one Quiznos. United States District Judge David S. Doty sentenced Michael Scott Luedtke, no known address, to 295 months in prison on one count of interference with commerce by robbery, pursuant to the Hobbs Act, and one count of possession of a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence. Luedtke, who was indicted on May 15, 2012, pleaded guilty on July 26, 2012.
In his plea agreement, Luedtke admitted that on December 29, 2011, at approximately 8:00 p.m., he entered the Subway sandwich shop in Roseville, armed with a sawed-off shotgun. Luedtke pointed the shotgun at various employees and customers and told them to get on the ground. He then told the teller to give him money, opened the cash register, and stole all the money from it. The total was approximately $310.
Then, on December 31, 2011, at approximately 11:00 a.m., he entered the Quiznos sandwich shop in Roseville. He was again armed with a sawed-off shotgun. While brandishing the weapon, he demanded that the employees give him all the money in the cash register. Before any money was turned over, the store manager ran from the shop. Luedtke followed him into the parking lot, grabbed him, put the shotgun to his head, and uttered, “Boom.” Luedtke then ran to a stolen vehicle and drove away from the scene. Authorities apprehended him later that evening.
According to the plea agreement, Luedtke also admits that on December 31, 2011, at approximately 1:00 p.m., only a couple hours after the attempted robbery of the Roseville Quiznos shop, he robbed the Subway sandwich shop in Newport, Minnesota. Again, he was armed with a sawed-off shotgun. In that instance, however, he got away with approximately $154.
The Hobbs Act, passed by Congress in 1946, allows federal prosecutors to prosecute violent habitual criminals who commit armed robberies in places of business that involve interstate commerce. Federal prosecution of these cases is sometimes beneficial since federal penalties are often tougher than those imposed under state law. Moreover, because the federal system has no parole, those who receive federal sentences serve virtually their entire prison terms behind bars.
This case was the result of an investigation by the Roseville Police Department, the St. Paul Police Department, the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, and the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. It was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Carol M. Kayser and Thomas M. Hollenhorst.
