Henrico man pleads guilty to two armed robberies

RICHMOND, Va. – A Henrico man pled guilty today to the armed robberies of two local stores.

According to court documents, on Jan. 22, 2024, Josue Cano-Morales, 19, entered a Lucky Mart on Staples Mill Road and walked around the counter. Brandishing a handgun, Cano-Morales demanded money. After the clerk handed over money from the register, Cano-Morales demanded more money and forced the clerk at gunpoint to go to the back office. Cano-Morales took money from desk drawers, stole a Snickers candy bar, and fled on a bicycle.

Cano-Morales then proceeded to a nearby Smokers World store, which he entered holding a handgun and a backpack. Cano-Morales demanded money from the register, then forced the clerk to the backroom where he took more money. Cano-Morales stole several vapes from a display before attempting to flee through the back door. The door was locked, however, and Cano-Morales fled through the front door.

Henrico County Police officers responding to the Lucky Mart robbery spotted Cano-Morales bicycle at a nearby shopping center. While inspecting the bicycle, they saw Cano-Morales leaving Smokers World. Cano-Morales immediately fled on foot but was quickly apprehended in a parking lot.

Cano-Morales is scheduled to be sentenced on Oct. 11. He faces a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison for robbery and, consecutive to the sentence for robbery, seven years to life in prison for using, carrying, and brandishing a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence. Actual sentences for federal crimes are typically less than the maximum penalties. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

Jessica D. Aber, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia; Stanley M. Meador, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Richmond Field Office; and Eric D. English, Chief of Henrico County Police Division, made the announcement after U.S. District Judge David J. Novak accepted the plea.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Stephen E. Anthony is prosecuting the case.

A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia. Related court documents and information are located on the website of the District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia or on PACER by searching for Case No. 3:24-cr-44.