Man Sentenced to 2 ½ Years for Robbing Cashiers at 2 Norfolk Stores in 2023
NORFOLK, Va. – Christopher Scott Painter, 48, was convicted of robbery by threat on Friday, May 20, and sentenced to serve two and a half years in prison after he pleaded guilty to robbing clerks at two Norfolk stores for cigarettes last year.
On June 29, Mr. Painter entered the 7-Eleven at 1713 Colley Avenue, walked up to the clerk, and claimed to have a gun. The clerk stepped out of Mr. Painter’s way, and Mr. Painter proceeded to steal several dozen cigarette cartons from behind the cashier’s counter before exiting the store.
On July 15, Mr. Painter entered the same 7-Eleven, approached the clerk, pushed her out of his way, and began to take cartons of cigarettes. The clerk attempted to push Mr. Painter away, Mr. Painter pushed her back, and he continued to take more cigarette cartons. The clerk then grabbed a crowbar and struck Mr. Painter on his back with it, and Mr. Painter finally left the store with the cigarette packages he stole.
On July 25, Mr. Painter entered the Dollar General at 2591 Tidewater Drive and asked the cashier to buy him a drink and a cigarette. The cashier declined to, and Mr. Painter exited the store. Moments later, Mr. Painter entered the store again while holding a brick in his hand. Mr. Painter walked behind the cashier’s counter, he ordered the cashier to open the cigarette display case, the cashier said no, and Mr. Painter threw the brick at the display case. When the case did not break, Mr. Painter picked up two unopened cigarette boxes from the floor in front of the display and left the store.
Video surveillance footage from the Dollar General allowed Norfolk Police to identify Mr. Painter as the robbery suspect from that incident as well as the previous 7-Eleven incidents, and the clerks at the 7-Eleven knew Mr. Painter to frequent the store daily.
After witnesses from two of the robberies did not appear in court to share their testimonies, Mr. Painter entered an agreement to plead guilty to one count of robbery by threat and leave his sentence in the hands of a judge. On May 20, Judge Everett A. Martin Jr. accepted Mr. Painter’s plea and sentenced him to two years and six months in prison as well as three years of post-release supervision.
“Thank you to the witnesses who came forward to hold Mr. Painter accountable,” said Commonwealth’s Attorney Ramin Fatehi. “When witnesses come to court, we can hold people accountable and help us protect the community from violence.”
Assistant Commonwealth’s Attorney Anthony J. Balady prosecuted Mr. Painter’s case on behalf of the Commonwealth, and Norfolk Police Detective Patrick A. Garvey led the investigation.
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