Butte Man Denies Coin Shop Robbery

BUTTE, Mont. (AP) — A 30-year-old man accused of robbing a coin shop in Butte has pleaded not guilty to felony charges of theft and robbery.

Dale Edward Wallace of Butte appeared in District Court Thursday for the Dec. 30 robbery in which the elderly owner of the Cards N Coins shop was restrained while the suspects took guns and cash.

Law enforcement officers identified Wallace and Sarah Jo Johnson as suspects and tracked them through their cellphones. They were located in Lincoln City, Ore., on Jan. 3.

Wallace was struck by a patrol vehicle while trying to flee police. Johnson shot herself after a five-hour standoff.

Wallace was hospitalized and then jailed in Portland, Ore., before being returned to Butte to face charges.