Man, 19, pleads no contest to attempted robbery

A 19-year-old Topeka man pleaded no contest Monday to two counts of attempted aggravated robbery and one count of criminal possession of a firearm stemming from an Aug. 29 incident at The Reserve apartment complex, 2511 W. 31st St.

Sterling J. Wilkins, along with co-defendant Garrett Paulson, 19, were accused of approaching three Kansas University students with a gun Aug. 29.

Police said a struggle ensued between Wilkins and a male student standing outside an SUV, and then Wilkins punched the victim and struck him on his head with the pistol, which fired into the ground.

Wilkins and Paulson then took the victim’s keys and fled in another vehicle, according to police.

Paulson pleaded guilty last month to attempted robbery and criminal threat, and is scheduled for sentencing Oct. 26, while Wilkins’ sentencing is scheduled for Nov. 9.