Three people charged in an Alexandria robbery last summer each received an eight year sentence in DeKalb County Criminal Court Friday after entering pleas in negotiated settlements.
24 year old Michael Ray Slaughter of Clarksville, 25 year old Dustin Shane Puckett of Watertown, and 27 year old Joseph Clark Hindelang of Lebanon each pleaded guilty to robbery and received an eight year sentence with parole eligibility after serving 30%. Each, originally charged with aggravated robbery, agreed to plea outside of the range of punishment to get the charge reduced to robbery.
Hindelang and Puckett, in addition to robbery, also pled to theft of property over $1,000 and each received a two year sentence to run concurrently with their eight year terms. Both Hindelang and Puckett were given jail credit of 206 days.
Slaughter’s eight year term is to run concurrent with any violations or other charges in effect against him. He was fined $2,000.
Alexandria Police Chief Mark Collins told WJLE that Slaughter, Puckett, and Hindelang were arrested in an armed robbery at a home on Measles Lane on August 1, 2012.
Police learned that two of the suspects entered the home, displayed handguns and forced the occupants, an adult female and two children , to sit and remain quiet while they went through the home taking several things including electronics, jewelry, personal items, and narcotics. After leaving the home, the suspects fled into the woods nearby but they were seen by witnesses, who reported it to Sergeant Chris Russell. After spotting a man running out of the woods, Sergeant Russell gave chase. After a short foot pursuit, the man, Slaughter was placed in custody. Shortly thereafter witnesses saw the suspects’ vehicle on High Street and reported it. Police responded, found the driver, Hindelang, and placed him in custody. Witnesses also reported having seen the third suspect, Puckett , running out of the woods on Brush Creek Highway. As a result, police found Puckett and arrested him. During a search of the area, officers recovered items taken from the home along with approximately 42 grams of marijuana found in the suspects’ vehicle and other items believed to have been stolen from another location. Police seized the vehicle as a result of the investigation.
Meanwhile, 41 year old Angela Dawn Engelhardt, the owner of the Measles Lane home, was charged with simple possession of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia while another woman living at the residence, 30 year old Angela Bartels , was arrested on outstanding warrants from Wilson County. Engelhardt was not at home at the time of the incident but was arrested later that night. Her case apparently remains pending in court.
The investigation was conducted by Chief Collins and Sgt. Russell
Chief Collins said he would like to commend the actions of the observant citizens for their assistance in the apprehension of the suspects as well as assistance from the DeKalb County Sheriff’s Department.
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