MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) — The Washington County Attorney’s Office announced that a 16-year-old boy, who was certified as an adult in court, has pleaded guilty in connection to a crime spree in Cottage Grove.
On Monday, Alex Hadley Westman entered pleas of guilty in adult court to one count of robbery and three counts of burglary.
According to the criminal complaint, Westman’s spree on April 4 and April 5 included shoving a 58-year-old woman down a snow bank and demanding money from her. He also allegedly broke into several homes and threatened one homeowner with a knife.
Westman’s prior juvenile felony record and “unsuccessful programing” convinced the court to certify him as an adult.
“While the standard in juvenile cases is ‘best interests of the child’, this office always must consider what is best for public safety,” County Attorney Pete Orput said. “This offender has demonstrated he is a serious threat to public safety and we will treat him accordingly.”
Sentencing is set for Jan. 24, 2014 at 9 a.m.
