HUTCHINSON, Kan. — One of three suspects who entered pleas in association with a robbery at knife point outside Walmart was sentencing Friday to two years and 10 months in prison. .

Blake Bryant entered a plea to robbery and conspiracy to commit aggravated robbery and his attorney requested a non prison sanction and in patient drug treatment. Judge Tim Chambers told the defendant that this is a balancing act and that he has to decide whats best for the defendant, but also the safety of the community. He sided on the safety side because of the nature of the crime and ordered the sentence served.

A co-defendant was also scheduled for sentencing, but the attorney for Ryan Reed apparently filed a departure motion late Thursday and it never made the file, So Judge Trish Rose continued the sentencing for Reed for two weeks. He entered a plea to the robbery charge only.

A third suspect, Stephen Howard entered a plea to conspiracy to commit aggravated robbery. He’ll also be sentenced on Dec. 2.

The three men were apparently drinking and smoking marijuana and decided they needed more cash for cigarettes. They went to Walmart and tried to break into vehicles, but then spotted some young men on the side of the store. That’s when two of them wrapped their shirts around their heads, pulled a knife and robbed the four of $85.

They were in a vehicle allegedly driven by Shelby Anderson. She was detained at the time, but not arrested with the other three. But, was taken into custody later. Her case is still pending.