Man Sentenced to 10 Years After Pleading Guilty to Armed Robbery of 2 Norfolk 7-Eleven Stores in 2022
NORFOLK, Va. — Devin Demetrius Watts Jr., 21, was sentenced today to serve 10 years in prison for two counts of both armed robbery and being a felon in possession of a firearm after he pleaded guilty to robbing the clerks of two stores two days in a row in 2022.
Before 10 p.m. on Nov. 6, 2022, Mr. Watts entered the 7-Eleven at 3235 Chesapeake Blvd., pointed his gun at a clerk, and demanded money and vape products. Mr. Watts left the store after the clerk gave him about $65 from the register and $25 worth of vape products. Video surveillance footage from the store showed Mr. Watts committing the robbery while handling with his left hand a black and silver gun equipped with a flashlight.
The following day, Mr. Watts entered the 7-Eleven at 1618 Indian River Road, waited awhile for the store to become less busy with patrons, pointed the same gun he had used the day before at the clerks, and robbed them. Mr. Watts left the store after being given $325 in cash and merchandise. One of the clerks followed Mr. Watts as he left, and responding Norfolk Police officers took him into custody after pursuing him on foot. The police’s investigation confirmed that Mr. Watts was in possession of the same gun as seen on the surveillance footage from the first robbery, physically matched the suspect in the video, and was left-handed. Mr. Watts has been convicted of four prior felonies and is prohibited from possessing a firearm.
On May 8, Mr. Watts pleaded guilty to two counts each of armed robbery and being a felon in possession of a firearm, and Judge Robert B. Rigney accepted his plea with no agreement to his sentence.
On Friday, Judge Rigney sentenced Mr. Watts to serve 10 years in prison and suspended another 20 years on the condition that Mr. Watts complete three years of uniform good behavior following his release.
“Mr. Watts committed two dangerous, armed robberies in as many days, frightening and threatening store clerks who were just doing their jobs,” said Commonwealth’s Attorney Ramin Fatehi. “Mr. Watts’s double-digit prison sentence is necessary to account for his crimes and to keep the community safe from further harm. I hope that Mr. Watts uses his time in prison to learn the cognitive and work skills necessary not to commit such crimes again.”
Senior Assistant Commonwealth’s Attorney Shavaughn N. Banks is prosecuting Mr. Watts’ case on behalf of the Commonwealth, and Norfolk Police Detective David L. Todd led the investigation.
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May 9, 2024
Man Pleads Guilty to Armed Robbery of 2 Norfolk 7-Eleven Stores in 2022
NORFOLK, Va. — Devin Demetrius Watts Jr., 21, was convicted on Wednesday of two counts each of armed robbery and being a felon in possession of a firearm after he pleaded guilty to robbing at gunpoint the clerks of two stores two days in a row in 2022.
Before 10 p.m. on Nov. 6, 2022, Mr. Watts entered the 7-Eleven at 3235 Chesapeake Blvd., pointed his gun at a clerk, and demanded money and vape products. Mr. Watts left the store after the clerk gave him about $65 from the register and $25 worth of vape products. Video surveillance footage from the store showed Mr. Watts committing the robbery while handling with his left hand a black and silver gun equipped with a flashlight.
The following day, Mr. Watts entered the 7-Eleven at 1618 Indian River Road, waited awhile for the store to become less busy with patrons, pointed the same gun he had used the day before at the clerks, and robbed them. Mr. Watts left the store after being given $325 in cash and merchandise. One of the clerks followed Mr. Watts as he left, and responding Norfolk Police officers took him into custody after pursuing him on foot. The police’s investigation confirmed that Mr. Watts was in possession of the same gun as seen on the surveillance footage from the first robbery, physically matched the suspect in the video, and was left-handed. Mr. Watts has been convicted of four prior felonies and is prohibited from possessing a firearm.
On Wednesday, Mr. Watts pleaded guilty to two counts each of armed robbery and being a felon in possession of a firearm, and Judge Robert B. Rigney accepted his plea with no agreement to his sentence. Mr. Watts is docketed for sentencing on Aug. 9.
“Being the victim of a robbery is a terrifying and dangerous experience, one I am sorry that the victims in this case have experienced,” said Commonwealth’s Attorney Ramin Fatehi. “Thanks to the courage of the victims, good video evidence, and good police work, we have been able to hold Mr. Watts accountable. At sentencing we will seek a prison term that will fit Mr. Watts’ crimes.”
Senior Assistant Commonwealth’s Attorney Shavaughn N. Banks is prosecuting Mr. Watts’ case on behalf of the Commonwealth, and Norfolk Police Detective David L. Todd led the investigation.
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