Man sentenced after bat-wielding girl intervenes in robbery attempt

A 37-year-old man, Conchobhar Morrell, has been sentenced to over two years in prison for his attempt to rob a liquor store in Maplewood, Minnesota. Morrell pleaded guilty to first-degree attempted aggravated robbery in November 2024 and received a 36-month prison sentence along with credit for 97 days already served.

The attempted robbery took place on the night of August 10, 2024, at Big Discount Liquors on White Bear Avenue North. Surveillance footage captured Morrell, dressed in an Amazon uniform, reaching into his pocket and placing a weapon, later identified as a BB gun, on the counter while demanding money from the store's manager.

During the incident, the manager, referred to as Leo, tried to negotiate with Morrell, emphasizing his concern for his 8-year-old daughter, who was present in the store. Despite the tense situation, Leo attempted to keep the focus on safety while complying with Morrell's demands.

The situation escalated when Morrell moved behind the counter with the gun, leading to a struggle between him and Leo. In a remarkable display of bravery, Leo's daughter grabbed a baseball bat and struck Morrell several times before escaping the scene. Leo was unaware of her actions until he reviewed the store's surveillance footage later.

Morrell was apprehended just a short distance from the liquor store shortly after the incident. According to an Amazon spokesperson, he had been a delivery associate for a third-party service connected with Amazon at the time of the robbery.