Two enter pleas for participation in knife-point robbery in Deshler

NAPOLEON — Two local men charged in a Deshler knife-point robbery have had their felony cases resolved in Henry County Common Pleas Court.

Mark Junge, 55, Deshler — considered by authorities as the principal offender in the crime — pleaded guilty to robbery, a third-degree felony.

A pre-sentence investigation was ordered and his $50,000 surety bond was continued. Sentencing was scheduled for April 1.

The charge was amended from aggravated robbery, a first-degree felony, as part of the plea negotiations with Henry County Prosecutor Gwen Howe-Gebers’ office.

Junge is represented by attorney Ty Mahaffey of Sylvania. According to court documents, a surety bond — this had been established at $50,000 in November — was posted on Junge’s behalf on Dec. 4.

Junge’s co-defendant, Heath Litteral, 46, Deshler — indicted along with Junge in November — had pleaded guilty in December to robbery, a third-degree felony, and was recently sentenced.

He was given a 12-month prison term by Judge Amy Rosebrook with credit for time served in the Corrections Center of Northwest Ohio while his case was pending.

His charge also was amended from aggravated robbery as part of the plea negotiations.

Litteral was represented by attorney Nathan Vandenberghe of Northwood.

According to Howe-Gebers, the two co-defendants were involved in a robbery at a laundromat in Deshler on Oct. 22.

She told The Crescent-News that they tried to steal a basket containing clothes from the victim. When this was refused, Junge pulled out a knife and threatened the victim.

Both fled the scene, but the license plate of the vehicle was obtained and at least one of them was identified on camera, according to Howe-Gebers. The Henry County Sheriff’s Office arrested Junge thereafter.