Release Date: Tuesday, January 26, 2010 4:45 p.m.
Harvey L. Bryant, Commonwealth’s Attorney for the City of Virginia Beach, announced today that Jason Lopes, 18 years old, previously residing in the 900 block of Maximus Square in Virginia Beach, was sentenced today by Circuit Court Judge William R. O’Brien to twenty (20) years for Robbery, three (3) years for Use of a Firearm in the Commission of a Felony and one (1) year for Wearing a Mask. Judge O’Brien suspended thirteen and a half years (13 ½) of the sentence, conditioned upon the defendant’s good behavior for twenty four (24) years and being placed on supervised probation.
The Commonwealth’s evidence would have proved that on March 23, 2009, Jason Lopes, while wearing a mask, entered the 7-11 located at 550 22nd Street in Virginia Beach. He then pointed a small silver handgun at the clerk and forced her to walk behind the counter. The defendant proceeded to follow the victim behind the counter and demanded that she give up the money in the cash register. While demanding money from the victim, the defendant put the gun to her head and forced her to open the cash register. Fearing for her life, the victim complied with the armed robber’s demands. Lopes then pointed a gun at another clerk in the store. Lopes fled the scene and was seen heading to the Cerca Del Mar motel located at 410 21st Street. He was apprehended at the hotel by members of the Virginia Beach Police Department.
The defendant, who was 17 years old at the time of the offense, had pled guilty to the charges on August 31, 2009, before the Honorable Patricia L. West.
Deputy Commonwealth’s Attorney Scott C. Vachris prosecuted this case. Please call Julie Pickell if additional information is desired.
Similar Press Releases: felony, Harvey Bryant, Robbery
