Armed Robbery Suspect Arraigned

Marzeanis M. Coleman, 34, of Lincoln, was arraigned in Jefferson County Court on Wednesday, May 11, 2022. He appeared via webcam in the custody of the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office. Linda Bauer was the presiding judge.Coleman is facing five charges: robbery, a class 2 felony punishable by one to 50 years in prison; first degree assault, also a class 2 felony; possession of a stolen firearm, a class 2A felony punishable by 20 years in prison; operating a motor vehicle to avoid arrest, a class 4 felony punishable by up to two years in prison, 12 months of post-release supervision and a $10,000 fine; and first offense reckless driving, a class 3 misdemeanor punishable by three months in jail, a $500 fine and up to a year license revocation.Coleman is represented by Public Defender Scott Gropp, who requested a bond reduction on behalf of his client. The bond was set at $250,000 (10 percent), meaning Coleman would have to come up with $25,000. Gropp told the judge, “Obviously, my client has been unable to make bond.”County Attorney Joseph Casson objected to any reduction, citing the nature and circumstances of the alleged crime. Judge Bauer agreed and denied the request.A preliminary hearing is scheduled for June 1.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 had 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 lead to the identity of additional suspects. There was also a pistol located in the vehicle that was later determined to be a stolen firearm.”

Devon Kagy Appears in Court

Sheriff Georgi Wins Primary

Related Articles

Traffic Stop Leads to Drug Arrests

Fairbury Man Charged with Possessing Drugs, Driving without a License

Fairbury Man Gets Probation for Assault

Fairbury Man is Arrested for Missing Court