ROCHESTER, MINN – Two not guilty pleas are entered in the theft of a $16,000 purse.
Rochester police say Ron Williams Burks II and Thaddeus Maurice Merritt were involved in taking the Louis Vuitton bag from a 16-year-old male on August 12. A car reportedly pulled up to the victim and Burks got out, punched the teen in the face and ripped the bag from his shoulder.

Thaddeus Merritt
Police say Burks dumped out the contents of the bag but kept it and the victim’s cell phone. Merritt is accused of being in the car and lying to police about the robbery.
Burks, 20 of Rochester, is now scheduled to stand trial on February 25, 2019, for 1st degree aggravated robbery.
Merritt, 19 of Las Vegas, Nevada, is set to stand trial of November 13 for aiding an offender.