Second armed robber in 7-Eleven heist to serve nine-year prison sentence

A West Point man will serve nine years in prison due to his involvement in a May 6 early morning robbery of the 7-Eleven store located in Eltham area of New Kent.

Michael Sylvester Robinson, 38, of the 4300 block of Custis Mill Road, accepted a plea agreement during Jan. 12 New Kent Circuit Court proceedings to one count of armed robbery.

In a summary of evidence provided by Commonwealth’s Attorney Linwood Gregory, Robinson entered the establishment with codefendant Trey Smith shortly after 1 a.m. to rob the store. The duo held the clerk at gunpoint before escaping on foot with $265.

Authorities from New Kent, West Point, King William, and Charles City collaborated to investigate the incident. Upon inspecting video surveillance of the robbery, investigators saw two men exiting a white sedan and entering the 7-Eleven 45 minutes before the robbery, apparently to inspect the premises. The duo returned later, wearing different sets of clothes with the exception of shoes.

After a press release was issued the following day, tips flooded phone lines indicating Robinson and Smith had entered two gas stations in West Point, exiting from a white sedan and wearing the identical outfits during their first visit to 7-Eleven. Reviewing surveillance video from the other two stores revealed Robinson only changed his shirt prior to the robbery. Through surveillance, Smith’s shoes were identified as being similar to those worn during the robbery. Later, Robinson was identified by his parole officer through footage.

Less than 48 hours after the crime, Robinson and Smith were located at Robinson’s grandmother’s house in King William County where the white sedan was also parked. Authorities swooped in on the premises during an early morning raid, locating both suspects and detaining them. Upon a search of the premises, clothing and shoes identical to what the robbers wore were located inside the vehicle. A search of a shed in the backyard revealed a hoodie and stocking cap worn by Smith during the robbery. Contents inside the stocking cap included a roll of money that amounted to $267. Both Robinson and Smith were arrested shortly afterwards.

Under the plea agreement, Robinson received 60 years in prison with all but nine years suspended on the armed robbery conviction. Smith accepted a plea deal during a November trial and is serving a six-year prison term.

In other Jan. 12 New Kent Circuit Court proceedings:

–Simon Monroe Boyd, 51, of Williamsburg, accepted a plea deal to one count of distribution of cocaine. One count each of conspiracy to distribute cocaine and child endangerment were dropped. In a summary of evidence, on Feb. 26, 2014, Boyd was the target of Twin Rivers Task Force and sold cocaine to an informant inside of a garage.

While Boyd confessed to the crime, he said his wife, Joanne Boyd, was not aware of the transaction.

“She ain’t have nothing to do with nothing,” the defendant said. “She didn’t know what was going down that day.”

Under the agreement, Boyd was sentenced to 20 years in jail, but will serve a one year, 10 months active incarceration. Similar charges lodged against his wife were dropped.

–Forrest Blake Jones, 21, of the 7100 block of Lakeshore Drive, Quinton, accepted a plea deal to six counts of possession of child of pornography and one count of distribution of child pornography. Four counts of possession of child pornography and one count of distribution of child pornography were dropped.

In a summary of evidence, last June 18 and Aug. 8 state police identified Jones after receiving information that he possessed images and videos of underage girls. An investigation ensued, with the defendant confessing to the crimes. Formal sentencing for Jones is scheduled for Mar. 30, with sentencing guidelines recommending a range of two years, one month to six years, two months to serve incarcerated.

–Steven Thomas Lee, 49, of the 4500 block of Waywood Avenue, Chester, accepted a plea deal to one count each of DUI (third offense) and driving as a habitual offender. In a summary of evidence, a state trooper noticed the defendant riding on a moped on Route 249, weaving across the center yellow line. After being pulled over, it was determined the defendant was intoxicated after failing a field sobriety test.

Under the agreement, he received a five-year jail sentence with all but one year suspended on the DUI charge. All five years on driving as a habitual offender were suspended.