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2 Men Face Federal Charges In Dunn Bros Robbery

MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- Two men have been charged for allegedly robbing a Minneapolis Dunn Bros coffee shop at gunpoint.

Carlos Maurice Harris, 38, of Falcon Heights, and Ronald Harold Moore, 47, of Inver Grove Heights, have been charged with robbery (under the Hobbs Act, which prohibits robbery that affects interstate commerce), possession of a firearm and being a felon in possession of a firearm.

The indictment states that both Harris and Moore are felons and allegedly used a 9 mm pistol during the robbery at the Dunn Bros in Uptown.

According to the affidavit, the two men entered the coffee shop just before it was closing on Oct. 27. Moore allegedly pulled out a gun and told the two employees to open the cash drawer and get down on the ground. After one employee complied and put cash into a bag, police say Moore hit her in the head with the butt of the gun and threatened to shoot her, after she said that was all the money in the store.

The second employee told the men there was a safe in the office, which was later opened and emptied. Harris allegedly tied the two employees up, at which point, one of the robbers allegedly kicked one employee in the neck and "stomped" the other in the head, according to the affidavit.

The two men reportedly ran from the coffee shop in opposite directions but were eventually apprehended by police, Moore initially refused to stop.

The indictment states that both Harris and Moore have long criminal histories, including prior felony convictions for assault and robbery.

At least three of their prior offenses are violent crimes, meaning they are now subject to the federal armed career criminal statute, which mandates a 15-year minimum prison sentence, if convicted of the felon in possession charge.

If convicted of the robbery or use of a firearm during a robbery, each man faces a mandatory life sentence based on their respective criminal records.

These federal charges are key for two reasons -- the penalties are often tougher than the state charges and the federal system has no parole.
So if convicted, the entire sentence must be served.

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