Rite Aid robber enters Alford plea in New Kent Circuit Court trial

A Lanexa man involved in stealing prescription drugs from a local pharmacy entered into a plea agreement during June 12 afternoon proceedings in New Kent Circuit Court.

Richard Carlton May, 51, of the 300 block of Wahrani Trail, entered an Alford Plea of guilt to one count each of robbery of a business and possession of oxycodone. One charge of use of a firearm during the commission of a felony was dropped as part of the agreement. An Alford plea indicates that while May maintains his innocence to the crime, evidence presented during a trial would be enough to convict him.

In a summary of evidence provided by Commonwealth’s Attorney Linwood Gregory, last Oct. 17, May went into the Rite Aid store in Providence Forge. Inside, he met with the pharmacist in the breakroom and began to demand 30 milligram oxycodone pills. After the pharmacist refused to give him the pills, the defendant made a gesture, suggesting that he may have a firearm on him. Fearful for his life, the pharmacist retrieved 86 5-milligram pills and gave them to May.

As May exited the store, local authorities were notified and a description of the suspect and vehicle was relayed. May’s vehicle was encountered traveling westbound on Route 60 (Pocahontas Trail). Emergency equipment was activated to stop the vehicle but May cut through a parking lot and changed direction, traveling eastbound on Route 60. Another responding officer deployed spike strips to puncture one of the tires on May’s truck, bringing it to a halt at the intersection of Pocahontas Trail and Waterside Drive.

A search of the defendant’s vehicle resulted in the retrieval of 81 of the oxycodone pills as well as the discovery of the firearm. When asked by officers if he took the gun into the store during the robbery, May said that he couldn’t remember.

Formal sentencing for May is scheduled for Aug. 28. According to Gregory, he faces mandatory time under state statute for the robbery conviction.