Richmond Man Sentenced to Over Five Years for Role as Getaway Driver of Gas Station Robbery

RICHMOND, Va. – Wayne Lewis, 30, of Richmond, was sentenced today to 71 months in prison for his role as the getaway driver in a November 2014 robbery of the Woods Edge Exxon located in Chesterfield County.

Lewis plead guilty on October 8, 2015.  According to court documents, on Nov. 23, 2014, Lewis drove his accomplice Spencer Harris to the Woods Edge Road Exxon.  While Lewis waited in the getaway vehicle, Harris entered the store armed with an antique firearm and demanded money.  After a brief struggle over the weapon, Harris obtained approximately $300 and fled the scene.  Shortly thereafter, the robber’s vehicle driven by Lewis was located by police and a high speed pursuit ensued.  Due to Lewis’s reckless driving and dangerous road conditions, police were forced to cut off the pursuit and the robbers escaped.  Based on investigative leads, the robbers were identified and apprehended several weeks later.  

Dana J. Boente, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia; and Charles E. Smith, Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives’ (ATF) Washington Field Division, made the announcement after sentencing by U.S. District Judge Henry E. Hudson.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Erik S. Siebert prosecuted the case.  The Chesterfield County Police Department assisted in the investigation of this case.

A copy of this press release may be found on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia.  Related court documents and information may be found on the website of the District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia or on PACER by searching for Case No. 3:15-cr-144.