A Fort Dodge man has admitted to stealing nearly $3,000 from a local convenience store during a November 2021 robbery.

Thomas Lee Boone, 42, was arrested Dec. 1, 2021, for the Nov. 15, 2021, armed robbery of the Star Convenience Clark Station at 115 N. 22nd St. He was charged with one count of first-degree robbery, a Class B felony; two counts of possession of a firearm by a felon, a Class D felony; and one count of trafficking in stolen weapons, a Class D felony.

Law enforcement had been dispatched to the convenience store around 8:15 a.m. after the robbery was reported. Store staff had reported that a male had entered the store and demanded money from the clerk. The suspect was able to leave with an undisclosed amount of cash, fleeing on foot before officers arrived.

Boone pleaded not guilty to the charges in January 2022. Trial dates were scheduled for March and October, but were subsequently postponed.

Earlier this week, Boone entered into a plea agreement with the state, agreeing to plead guilty to an amended count of second-degree theft, a Class D felony, and one of the firearm possession counts. Under the plea agreement, the state will dismiss the remaining two charges.

In the written plea agreement, Boone admitted that he had “went into the Star Convenience Store and took approximately $3,000” and that he did not have the permission or authority to take the cash.

A sentencing hearing is scheduled for April 3. According to the plea agreement, the state and the defense have agreed to recommend a five-year prison sentence for each charge and for the two sentences to be served consecutively, for a total prison term of up to 10 years. The $1,025 fine for each charge will be suspended. Boone will likely be required to pay restitution to the convenience store.