Topeka Man Sentenced For Armed Robbery with Twin Brother

TOPEKA, KAN. – A Topeka man was sentenced Monday to 43 months in federal prison for helping his twin brother rob a payday lender’s store, Acting U.S. Attorney Tom Beall said.

Lamar Ray Steele, 26, Topeka, Kan., pleaded guilty to one count of aiding and abetting a commercial robbery. In his plea, he admitted he was the driver in a June 4, 2014, robbery at Check Into Cash at 3711 S.W. Plaza Drive in Topeka. He waited in the car while his twin brother went into the store brandishing a firearm. The brothers fled after the robbery.

Co-defendant Charles Lamar Steele, 26, Topeka, is set for sentencing Dec. 12. Co-defendant Zennie Lee Vasser, 33, Topeka, Kan., was sentenced to 43 months in federal prison.

Beall commended the Topeka Police Department, the FBI and Assistant U.S. Attorney Jared Maag for their work on the case.