Hays Post
May 17, 2023

South Carolina man sentenced to prison for robbery of Hays salon

Posted May 17, 2023 6:29 PM

By CRISTINA JANNEY
Hays Post

An Ellis County District Court judge rejected a South Carolina man's request for probation on a charge he robbed All the Rage Studios in Hays.

Irving Brooks III was sentenced to 32 months in prison for a charge of robbery, 12 months for aggravated assault and six months for fleeing and eluding law enforcement by Judge Glenn Braun. Brooks also was ordered to serve 24 months of post-release supervision.

Braun ordered the sentencing to run concurrently.

Brooks / Ellis County photo
Brooks / Ellis County photo

Brooks also was ordered to pay $828 in restitution for a victim's medical expenses, $24 for the money that was stolen from the salon, plus court fees.

Brooks was given credit for 425 days he has served in the Ellis County Detention Center.

Alex Herman, Brooks' attorney, had recommended Brooks receive probation per a plea deal. 

However, Braun noted during the hearing on Tuesday that a victim in the case had expressed frustration at the proposed sentence for Brooks.

Although Brooks only had three misdemeanor charges in his criminal history, Braun noted Brooks had multiple arrests in multiple states, including charges of domestic violence and assault.

Brooks pleaded guilty in March to entering the All the Rage salon, threatening an employee, taking $24 and then leading law enforcement on a high-speed chase that started in Russell and ended on north Vine Street in Hays.

A Hays law enforcement officer was injured and three vehicles were damaged in the pursuit.

Although Brooks lead the victim to believe he had a gun during the robbery, further investigation determined Brooks did not have a firearm during the robbery.

In his allocution, Brooks said if he was granted probation, he would return to South Carolina and intended to live with his mother while he attended drug treatment and then welding school.

He said his ultimate goals were to be a deep sea welder and a minister. He said he also hoped to work so he could pay child support for his 10 children.

When Brooks addressed the court, he said that he was on drugs when the crimes occurred.

"I need a chance to redeem myself," he said.

At a prior sentencing hearing in April and again on Tuesday, Braun expressed concerns about Brooks' post-release plans.

Tuesday he called them a wish list and not a plan.

Brooks also is facing charges in Colorado for allegedly stealing the vehicle he was driving when he was arrested in Kansas. Those charges include robbery, aggravated motor vehicle theft, theft, menacing and criminal mischief.

Brooks waived extradition to Colorado prior to his sentencing on Tuesday.