Robbery suspect pleads guilty to charges

The Van Wert independent

A man facing multiple charges in connection with a robbery at the Ramblers Roost changed his plea to guilty during a hearing held Friday in Van Wert County Common Pleas Court.

Trent Webster, 49, of Van Wert, pleaded guilty to one count each of grant theft, a felony of the fourth degree, and robbery, a felony of the third degree (reduced from a second-degree felony). A third charge of possession of cocaine, a fifth-degree felony, was dismissed in exchange for Webster’s guilty plea to the other two charges.

A presentence investigation was ordered in the case and sentencing was scheduled for 9 a.m. Wednesday, May 28. A $250,000 cash bond was continued in the case.

Webster was arrested with James R. Reynolds, 34, of Fort Jennings, on December 16, 2013, a day after the Ramblers Roost robbery occurred. Both were found hiding at a rural Fort Jennings residence during a search of the residence by deputies from Putnam, Paulding and Van Wert counties.

Webster was identified from surveillance camera photos as the man who entered the Ramblers Roost and demanded cash from employees of the business, telling the workers there was another person waiting outside and there would be “problems” if they did not comply.

Reynolds also faces charges related to a robbery at Ross’s Gas Station in Grover Hill in October 2013, where he allegedly assaulted two employees while robbing the store.