Armed Robbery Suspect Appears in Court

Marzeanis M. Coleman, 34, of Lincoln, appeared in Jefferson County Court on Wednesday, April 20, in the custody of the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office. Linda Bauer was the presiding judge.There were no charges on file but Coleman was arrested early Sunday morning, April 17, and booked for robbery, felony flight to avoid arrest, possession of stolen firearm, possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony, obstructing, and first-degree assault. Judge Bauer informed the defendant that the most serious of those offenses, if filed, were the robbery and assault. Each is a class 4 felony punishable by one to 50 years in prison.Coleman requested court-appointed counsel. The judge asked the defendant about his financial status and Coleman said he believed he would still have his job if he were released. County Attorney Joseph Casson was less certain and told the judge, “I’m not sure he’ll be able to go back to work.”Judge Bauer assigned public defender Scott Gropp to represent Coleman.Bond had been previously set at $500,000 (10 percent). The defendant requested a bond reduction, which Casson opposed. Judge Bauer agreed to lower the bond to $250,000 (10 percent), meaning Coleman would have to come up with $25,000. The judge said she would also consider a surety bond.Arraignment is scheduled for May 11.ArrestAt approximately 11:19 p.m., the evening of Saturday, April 16, Jefferson County Deputies and an ambulance responded to a 911 call from a McDonald’s employee who said there had been a robbery and a female employee has been assaulted and needed medical attention.According to the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office, there was already a deputy on duty nearby at the time of the call. The deputy, “observed two black males running south through the large parking near McDonald’s and headed south across Hwy 136 and ran south on J Street.”The deputy followed and saw that, when the deputy started to drive south on J Street, headlights of a vehicle parked on the side of the street came on. The deputy reported pulling in front of the vehicle in an attempt to stop them from leaving but the vehicle jumped the curb and took off. The deputy pursued the vehicle and it failed to stop and left Fairbury eastbound on Highway 136.Other deputies who responded to the scene of the crime found a female employee of McDonald’s had been assaulted and was found to have what was described by law enforcement as “very serious but non-life-threatening injuries.” The victim was transported to the Jefferson County Hospital and treated.Meanwhile, law enforcement pursued the suspect vehicle eastbound on Highway 136 all the way to Beatrice, where speeds reportedly reached 125 miles per hour (mph). According to a press release, “The suspect drove in an extremely reckless manner and drove with it lights off at times during the pursuit.”With the assistance of the Beatrice Police Department, spike strips were deployed near the Community College while they were entering Beatrice. An effective deployment of the spike strips led to the suspect vehicle becoming disabled near Highway 136 and SW 45th Road on the first curve going into town.The Sheriff’s Office reported that, “One individual was observed fleeing on foot near the disabled vehicle.”The Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office, Gage County Sheriff’s Office and Beatrice Police Department all participated in a search for the suspect.At approximately 11:58 p.m., the Jefferson County Emergency Management Drone Team was called in to assist in the search.After approximately one and a half hours, the suspect was located, identified as Marzeanis Coleman, taken into custody and transferred to the Jefferson County Jail,According to the press release, “During the investigation it was determined that 2 black males entered the back door of McDonald’s during closing while a cash drawer count was being conducted. During the robbery, a struggle between one of the suspects and the female employee ensued and she obtained injuries from the assault. The suspects fled McDonald’s after getting a small amount of cash. A search of the vehicle led to identifying items which could led to the identity of additional suspects. There was also a pistol located in the vehicle that was later determined to be a stolen firearm.”As of press time, this incident and the identity of additional suspects is still under investigation.Criminal RecordColeman has a prior criminal record in Nebraska. All the following cases took place in Lancaster County Court.In 2016, Coleman pleaded Guilty to unauthorized use of a financial transaction device, a class 2 misdemeanor. He was fined $500 and given 50 hours of community service.In 2015, Coleman pleaded No Contest to unauthorized use of a financial transaction device, a class 1 misdemeanor. He was fined $1,000 and given 47 hours of community service.In 2014, Coleman pleaded No Contest to two counts of third-degree assault, both class 1 misdemeanors and sentenced to 270 days in jail.In 2013, Coleman pleaded Guilty to assault and was sentenced to a $400 fine and 40 hours of community service.

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