Man charged in Lawrence Sonic robbery, plus 7 Topeka business robberies

A Topeka man has been charged with a robbery at a Lawrence drive-in restaurant, along with seven other business robberies in Topeka this year.

Joseph Bryant Toole, III, 35, was indicted Wednesday in federal court on charges of the eight robberies, U.S. Attorney Stephen McAllister said in a news release.

The spree of robberies occurred from March through this month, with the last three in a row occurring at the same Topeka liquor store, Lynn’s Liquor Store at 3335 Southwest Gage Blvd.

The Lawrence Sonic robbery on March 25 was the earliest of the robberies listed in the news release.

It occurred about 9:40 p.m. at Sonic, 1015 E. 23rd St., the Journal-World previously reported. Police said two men wearing bandanas over their faces — at least one of whom had a gun — entered the business, demanded money and escaped with an undisclosed amount.

If convicted, Toole faces up to 20 years in federal prison and a fine up to $250,000 on each count, according to the news release.

photo by: Kansas Department of Corrections

Contact Journal-World public safety reporter Sara Shepherd

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