By JONATHAN ZWEYGARDT
Hays Post
Two men accused in the armed robbery of the Hays Dollar General this summer both pleaded not guilty to several charges this month in Ellis County District Court.
On Monday, Batalova Olatide Senuoke, 38, Columbus, Ohio, pleaded not guilty to four felony counts in connection with the July 24 armed robbery of the Dollar General Store at 1208 E. 27th, Hays.
Senuoke was charged with aggravated robbery, conspiracy to commit aggravated robbery, aggravated battery and criminal possession of a weapon by a felon.
According to the Hays Police Department, Senuoke entered the Dollar General at approximately 10:30 a.m. July 24 and threatened the cashier with a gun. He left the store with the money and then Senuoke and two other suspects fled the area.
Their vehicle was located in Oakley and, after a brief chase involving the Kansas Highway Patrol, all three suspects were taken into custody just 12:30 p.m. July 24.
In Kansas, if convicted for aggravated robbery, Senuoke faces between 55 and 247 months in prison.
The conspiracy to commit aggravated robbery charge carries a sentence of 31 to 136 months. The potential sentence for aggravated battery is 11 to 34 months and for criminal possession of a weapon by a felon the sentence is seven to 33 months. All four felony charges also carry a fine.
The state anticipates Senuoke’s criminal history will be the highest of the sentencing grid and he could face the maximum penalty on all four charges.
Bryan Anthony Parsley, 42, Columbus, Ohio, was identified as the second suspect allegedly involved in the robbery.
On Friday, Parsley pleaded not guilty to one felony count of conspiracy to commit aggravated robbery and a misdemeanor charge of theft.
A third person — an unidentified female — was also taken into custody following the incident in July but has not been charged.
The court has scheduled a status hearing for later this month to determine if they will join the cases and try them together or separate.
If there is a jury trial or trials, they would be held sometime next year.