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Taxicab robbery suspect faces decades in prison

Wyatt Haupt Jr.
The Aspen Times
Aspen, CO Colorado

ASPEN – A plea deal is in the works for a 26-year-old man suspected of armed robberies in Aspen and Glenwood Springs, authorities said Friday.

Justin Nathaniel Brink, of Carbondale, stands accused of one count of aggravated robbery in connection with the alleged hold-up of an Aspen taxicab driver in February. He faces a minimum of 36 years in prison if convicted of the alleged offense.

Brink also stands accused of aggravated robbery, menacing and theft for an alleged crime in March at a Glenwood Springs restaurant. He faces the same minimum sentence for the aggravated robbery charge in Glenwood Springs, based on state sentencing guidelines.



“We are trying to work out a universal disposition,” said Deputy District Attorney Matt Barrett, who is handling the matter for the 9th Judicial District.

Brink is to appear in Pitkin County District Court for a disposition hearing July 6 in the Aspen case. He is to be arraigned July 9 for the Glenwood Springs robbery in Garfield County District Court.




The District Attorney’s Office in Aspen declined comment.

Brink was arrested March 6 for the alleged robbery of BB’s Wings ‘n’ Q in Glenwood Springs. Brink and another man entered the eatery about 5:30 p.m. March 6 and placed one to-go order for food.

The men returned a short while later and placed another order, according to the BB’s owner Janet Balcomb. While the two men were waiting for the food, Brink apparently passed the owner a note.

The note allegedly stated that Brink had a gun, and to put all the money in the register atop a table. She handed Brink between $500 and $600. He then left the restaurant.

Brink and the other man, identified as Jesse Coleman, were arrested a short time later while waiting in downtown for a bus to Aspen, authorities said.

Coleman was not charged in the case.

Brink was arrested for the taxicab robbery while in custody in Glenwood Springs. He allegedly pulled a knife on a High Mountain Taxi driver Feb. 21 at the Truscott Place parking lot.

The incident happened about 12:20 a.m. He apparently got into the back seat of the cab then demanded money from the driver, authorities said. Brink took the money and the keys from the vehicle then ran off toward the Truscott apartments.

The crimes were the latest in a string of incidents involving Brink. On May 20, Brink pleaded guilty to one count of forgery in Eagle County.

Eagle County District Court Judge Robert Moorhead sentenced Brink to three years in state prison for the crime.

whaupt@aspentimes.com