Man denied bond reduction in store robberies

A Houston County judge denied a bond reduction on Monday for a Dothan man charged with three counts of robbery, including the armed robbery of a Dothan Subway restaurant.

District Court Judge John Steensland said James Earl Rapelje’s bond would remain at $135,000. Dothan police charged Rapelje, 44, with two felony counts of first-degree robbery and felony third-degree robbery.

Dothan Police Investigator Chris Barberee testified during the bond hearing that Rapelje allegedly used an object covered with a sock to steal an 18-pack of beer from the BP service station on West Main Street last month. Police also charged Rapelje with the robbery of the Subway restaurant on Westgate Parkway on April 2, the same day as he was charged with stealing a woman’s purse in the Southern Family Market’s parking lot.

Assistant District Attorney David Atwell argued against a bond reduction because Rapelje has two previous felony convictions of first-degree robbery and felony theft.

“I think he would be a danger to the community if his bond was lowered and he got out,” Atwell said.

Jack Blumenfeld, who represented Rapelje, said his client has claimed he had no weapon during the robberies.

“He admits he was high on crack,” Blumenfeld said. “He may have given the impression he had a weapon.”