Armed robber pleads ‘no contest’ in Oceana Co. case.

Harold Labeau with his attorney, Julie Springstead-Waltz.

Armed robber pleads ‘no contest’ in Oceana Co. case.

By Allison Scarbrough, Editor.

HART — A 51-year-old Mears man pleaded “no contest” Monday, Nov. 7, in Oceana County’s 51st Circuit Court to armed robbery, agreeing to an 18-year minimum prison term.

Harold Raymond Labeau, of 5845 W. 6th St., robbed and assaulted an elderly couple in Golden Township and then fled in their vehicle last September.

Labeau, who is lodged in the Oceana County Jail on a $1 million bond, appeared for a pretrial with his attorney Julie Springstead-Waltz.

Labeau is also accused of getting into a gunfight with a Mason County sheriff’s deputy in Mason County’s Summit Township near Bass Lake, resulting in Labeau being shot in the hip by the officer and ultimately captured after being on the run for two days following the robbery.

In exchange for his plea to armed robbery, which is punishable by up to life in prison, his other Oceana County charges will be dismissed. He also faced charges of first-degree home invasion, larceny of a firearm, and three counts of felony firearm. He is being prosecuted as a four-time habitual offender.

According to the Offender Information Tracking System, Labeau has a long criminal history. He was released from prison last February after serving a term for an Oceana County conviction of using a computer to commit a crime. He was sentenced to one and a half to seven years in 2018. According to OTIS, he was convicted in Oceana County of breaking and entering a building with intent four times beginning in 2008. He was sentenced in three of those cases to three to 20 years in prison and three to 10 years in one case.

The victim in the recent robbery agreed to the sentence, said Oceana County Prosecutor Joseph Bizon. “We believe it is in the interest of justice.” Labeau’s maximum term will be set by the court, because armed robbery carries a maximum term of life, said the prosecutor.

Judge Susan K. Sniegowski reviewed the police report in court. “The victim informed police that she awakened to the sound of glass breaking on the slider door,” said the judge. “She attempted to shoot the suspect with a pistol, but missed,” and then Labeau took the gun from her. “She was hit in the head, but doesn’t know what with. There was another individual there with her. The defendant went through each room, digging for items, and the victim locked herself in the bedroom. A vehicle was stolen by the defendant at that location as well as the firearm and other items.”

Security cameras at the residence helped police identify Labeau, said the judge.

Sentencing is set for Jan. 23 at 9:40 a.m.

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