Wichita man pleads guilty to robbing Dollar General

A Wichita man pleaded guilty in federal court Thursday to robbing a Dollar General store last summer, authorities said.

Eric Emmanuel Dear, 23, pleaded guilty to one count of commercial robbery, U.S. Attorney Barry Grissom said in a prepared statement. In his plea, Dear admitted that he robbed the Dollar General at 2747 E. Boulevard Plaza on July 27.

Dear admitted he entered the store shortly before 10:30 a.m., approached the cash register and demanded money. He had what appeared to be a handgun in his right hand.

During the robbery, Dear touched the counter with his left hand, Grissom said. Fingerprints taken from the counter were matched to three fingers on his left hand. No firearm was recovered.

Sentencing is set for May 7. A sentence of 57 months — which is nearly five years — in federal prison is being recommended.

This story was originally published February 19, 2015 at 2:21 PM with the headline "Wichita man pleads guilty to robbing Dollar General."