Charles City man receives eight-year sentence for $112,000 robbery

A Charles City man who partook in a $112,000 robbery with two brothers from Dinwiddie will spend the next eight years in prison.

Tyron Lorenza Allen, 33, of the 6200 block of Old Union Road, learned his length of incarceration during formal sentencing Tuesday afternoon in Charles City Circuit Court. He pleaded guilty to one count of robbery during a Dec. 20, 2019 trial as part of a plea deal.

On Oct. 15, 2018, Allen along with Jeremy and Stephen Martin, broke into the home of Don Bulger. During the heist, Allen and Jeremy Martin held a group of elders hostage. Allen said during a trial of the Martin brothers that Jeremy went upstairs and forced one of the victims to open a safe. After the robbery was committed, Jeremy called Stephen who picked him and Allen up, with the trio fleeing to Dinwidde. Upon arriving, it was determined that the group stole $112,000 in cash from the home.

Approximately 10 days later, Allen would be arrested after leading a chase in both Charles City and Henrico County. During an Oct. 11, 2019 trial, Allen testified about the group’s plan, including the escape route from The Design Shop and returning to Dinwiddie. Allen also spoke about how the plan formulated from the jail, where he and Jeremy Martin were cellmates.

During the trial of the Martins, an argument was made that Jeremy Martin was at court the day of the alleged offense. While testimony from an officer pinpointed that Jeremy Martin was at the court, but so was a “tall, slender black man,” presumably Allen.

Allen received a 40-year prison sentence, with 32 years suspended (eight years to serve). He is also serving time from other jurisdictions. Jeremy Martin was sentenced to prison for 16 years, while Stephen Martin’s sentencing is schedule for August 21.