Three arrested in Cedar Rapids on robbery charges

CEDAR RAPIDS — Three people were arrested Sunday in Cedar Rapids on charges that they entered an apartment armed with a baseball bat with the intent to rob the people living there.

Lorretta Allen, 19, of Cedar Rapids, Lawrence Newell III, 18, of Cedar Rapids, and Garnett Propst, 18, of Newhall, are each charged with two counts of first-degree robbery and conspiracy to commit a forcible felony.

Newel and Propst are also charged with first-degree burglary. Allen and Newel are also charged with possession of a controlled substance.

The three reportedly planned a robbery at an apartment on Park Towne Lane NE, Cedar Rapids, where Allen and two other people live, according to a criminal complaint.

Newell and Propst initially went to the apartment and assaulted one of the residents, causing injury. They later returned with Allen and forced their way in while armed with a baseball bat, according to the criminal complaint.

The criminal complaint doesn’t specify who was carrying the baseball bat.

Allen then took items belonging to the other residents of the apartment, the complaint states.

When the three were taken into custody, Allen and Newell were found to be in possession of marijuana.

All three had their initial appearances in court Monday. Propst and Newell are each being held on a $30,000 cash-only bond, and Allen is being held on a $20,000 cash-only bond.

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