St. Paul Man Charged After Allegedly Threatening Speedway Employee With Hammer During Roseville Theft
Published: June 5th, 2026
ROSEVILLE MN: A St. Paul man is facing felony charges after allegedly threatening a Speedway employee with a hammer while stealing merchandise from a Roseville convenience store.
According to a criminal complaint, Lee Robert Hastings, 34, was charged in Ramsey County with simple robbery and threats of violence following the June 2 incident at the Speedway on Rice Street.
Police were called to the store at about 11:10 a.m. after an employee reported that Hastings walked out with merchandise without paying. When confronted outside, Hastings allegedly grabbed the wooden handle of a hammer protruding from his jacket pocket and threatened to hit the employee with it.
The employee told investigators that Hastings repeatedly made threats while advancing toward him. A witness reported seeing Hastings raise the handle of the hammer toward the employee in a threatening manner before fleeing the area on a bicycle.
The witness called 911 and followed Hastings, leading officers to a nearby wooded area where he was located and arrested. Police said they recovered a wooden-handled hammer and merchandise allegedly stolen from the store.
According to the complaint, Hastings was identified by the employee as the suspect involved in the incident.
Court records indicate Hastings has a pending Ramsey County felony case involving motor vehicle theft and fleeing a peace officer. Prosecutors also noted several prior felony convictions, including second-degree aggravated robbery, motor vehicle theft, theft, assault, and receiving stolen property.
The simple robbery charge carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison and a $20,000 fine. The threats of violence charge carries a maximum penalty of five years in prison and a $10,000 fine.
The charges are allegations, and Hastings is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.