Man pleads guilty to ’undressing’ robberies

ERIE, Pa. (AP) — An Erie man has pleaded guilty to robbing five women at gunpoint, including two he forced to undress.

Twenty-year-old Austin Bemis on Tuesday pleaded guilty to five robbery counts and one attempted robbery count. He faces up to 120 years in prison when he’s sentenced May 19.

Five women were robbed in four incidents between May 25 and Aug. 8.

Bemis allegedly approached the women on dark streets between 1 a.m. and 3 a.m., taking a cell phone, cigarettes, and a necklace among other items. He also snapped pictures of one of the women he forced to undress.

Bemis was caught shortly after the last robbery on Aug. 8 when the victim fought back and called 911 from a cell phone.

Police found Bemis nearby carrying a toy gun, digital camera, latex glove and a bandanna.