Man Charged With Stealing Over $8,000 From Columbus Sports Bar

COLUMBUS - A man is facing 40 years in prison, after allegedly robbing the sports bar, next door to the hotel he was staying in. Court records say Mathew Braun, 29, is alleged to have broken into a sports bar, located in east Columbus on 23rd Street, during early morning hours of November 1st. Braun allegedly stole an estimate of over $8,000 worth of change, cash, and equipment from the inside of the bar, by breaking into gaming machines, cash machines, and looting through private office space, says an arrest affidavit. Braun allegedly stole the surveillance equipment from the building, but Braun was caught on the neighboring hotels surveillance video, hauling the stolen items into a back of Pontiac Grand Prix, say police. The owner of the vehicle, and Braun, were staying at the hotel, says police in the affidavit. Police say they contacted an out-of-state police force, to obtain pictures of Braun, to confirm it was him in the surveillance video. Police also say that the out-of-state police they contacted, confirmed that the type of robbery was Braun's MO. Braun is facing two class 2A felony charges for burglary and theft over $5,000, says court records. Each charge carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison, if convicted. Braun is due in Platte County Court on Wednesday.