Robber using machete faces up to 31 years

4/1/2008

A man charged with robbing a pizza delivery driver with a machete pleaded no contest to several charges yesterday in Lucas County Common Pleas Court.

James Bryant, 32, of 1212 Liberty St., Apt. B, was found guilty of one count of aggravated robbery, two counts of robbery, and one count of abduction. He faces up to 31 years in prison when sentenced April 18 by Judge James Jensen.

Bryant was charged in several heists including the Jan. 17 robbery of a 23-year-old man who was delivering pizzas to the Liberty address just after 5:30 p.m. Authorities said the victim was grabbed, taken into the apartment, and threatened with a machete.

Bryant was originally charged with three counts of robbery, two counts of aggravated robbery, and one count of kidnapping. One count of robbery and one count of aggravated robbery will be dismissed at sentencing.