On Thursday, December 20, 2012, Taney County Circuit Court Judge Mark Orr announced a verdict of guilty against PATRICK B. HAUBBERT, d/o/b 03-26-1975, of Republic, for the class B felony of robbery in the second degree. Judge Orr’s verdict followed a bench trial heard in the Circuit Court on November 30, 2012. The cause had been taken under advisement by the court after the November 30th trial.

On January 13, 2012, PATRICK HAUBBERT entered the Wal-Mart Supercenter located on Branson Hills Parkway and concealed a digital compass in his coat pocket while being watched by three (3) loss prevention employees. HAUBBERT attempted to leave the store with the compass and was approached by the three (3) employees who informed him that they needed to talk to him about the unpaid merchandise. HAUBBERT then pushed his way through the employees, nearly knocking one of them to the ground, and rapidly sped away from the Wal-Mart in his car, dodging pedestrians and vehicles on his way out. HAUBBERT drove back to the scene minutes after the Branson Police Department was called and was arrested. During the course of the trial, HAUBBERT testified on his own behalf and admitted that he was currently on parole for an armed robbery committed in Taney County in 2001. Assistant Prosecuting Attorney Tony Brown tried the case for the Taney County Prosecutor’s Office.

Formal sentencing has been set for February 7, 2013. Robbery in the second degree is a class B felony, punishable by no less than five (5) but no more than fifteen (15) years in the Missouri Department of Corrections.