William Joseph Boldt just got out of prison last week, but less than two days later he and at least one accomplice allegedly held up a Hastings motel at gunpoint.
Boldt, 38, appeared in court in Hastings on Tuesday, charged with first-degree aggravated robbery and aiding and abetting first-degree robbery.
Although two men who robbed the AmericInn early last Thursday wore masks, Hastings police released motel surveillance videos to the public, and tips to police helped them identify Boldt, who has distinctive tattoos on his face and neck, Hastings Police Chief Paul Schnell said.
The other gunman remains at large, and police are seeking more information on that person's identity, Schnell and Dakota County Attorney James Backstrom said.
In addition, a St. Paul woman is in custody, and a St. Paul man was jailed and questioned but released pending further investigation, Schnell said.
Boldt was arrested Sunday at a house in the 1300 block of Pacific Street on St. Paul's East Side after tipsters called police about his whereabouts once his photo was part of news reports.
Schnell said police decided to release Boldt's identification to the public because of concern that a suspect with an extensive criminal history had just been released and was believed to be committing armed robberies.
Boldt had served a 60-month sentence for being a felon in possession of a firearm, and he had a warrant out for his arrest, issued by the Minnesota Department of Corrections, when he allegedly robbed the hotel.
