Lyle gas station robber gets 4 years in prison
Published 4:32 pm Saturday, January 10, 2015
One of four men accused of robbing a Lyle gas station in 2013 was sentenced Friday to four years in prison.
Elgin Green, 21, will receive credit for 384 days served. He will also have to pay $1,870.43 in restitution.
One of his partners, Vonzell Whitehead, was sentenced in January 2014 to 67 months in prison for his role in the robbery. Keion Clay switched his plea to guilty in September. He will be sentenced next week. Tuquan Smith will also be sentenced next week.
According to the court complaint, the four men allegedly robbed the Freeborn County Co-Op Oil in Lyle at about 9 a.m. Nov. 10, 2013. The store clerk said three men entered the store, and one demanded all of the money. Another allegedly followed the clerk to an office and took more money and checks. The clerk locked the doors after the men left and called 911.
Sheriff’s deputies responded to the call while an Austin Police officer set up surveillance outside of Austin. That officer later stopped a car with the four suspects in Austin. Officers searched the vehicle for a gun for their safety, and according to the court complaint, found a sweatshirt with a .22-caliber revolver, $353 in cash and eight checks written to the gas station.
A search warrant later uncovered dark clothing and hats.
The employee later identified Whitehead and Green as two of the four suspects. Police reviewed video surveillance, which indicated some of the suspects were in the store earlier that morning.
The complaint alleges Green pointed the gun at the clerk, and Whitehead pocketed money before leaving the store. Witnesses gave matching descriptions of the suspects’ car, as well.