Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SATURDAY, January 15, 1994 TAG: 9401150231
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: B4 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: MICHAEL STOWE STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
A federal jury in October convicted Larry C. Robinson, 44, of armed bank robbery and use of a firearm for the holdup of the Crossroads branch of Crestar Bank.
Robinson approached the two tellers on May 27 as they were counting money for an automated teller machine, demanded cash and made off with $17,354. The robbery was recorded by the bank's video cameras, and the tape was used as evidence in the trial.
In jail awaiting his court date, Robinson teamed up with two other inmates to plan a breakout.
The men, according to police reports, wrapped bedsheets around their waists and concealed them under their clothing before a visit to the recreation area. They then scaled a 15-foot concrete wall, broke through a wire-mesh screen and jumped down to the fourth-floor roof.
From there, they knotted the sheets together, tossed them over the edge and slipped down the makeshift rope. Two of the men made it to the ground, but the sheets broke before Robinson could go.
Robinson, who broke his leg trying to climb back into the recreation area, hobbled into U.S. District Court on crutches Friday.
His attorney, Thomas Blaylock, urged Judge James Turk to be lenient on his client.
"We realize that this was a serious offense, that people were put into fear, but fortunately no one was hurt," he said.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Ruth Plagenhoef argued, however, that the emotional strain on the bank tellers caused tremendous harm.
"People were severely impacted by this crime," she said.
Turk sentenced Robinson to six and a half years in prison for the robbery and five years for using a firearm in a dangerous felony. A two-year sentence for the failed escape will run concurrent with those prison terms.
The judge didn't fine Robinson, but is requiring him to repay Crestar Bank.
Turk recommended Robinson be sent to the federal prison in Petersburg.
It won't be the first time Robinson's been incarcerated. He was convicted of a 1978 Richmond-area murder and served 13 years of a 51-year sentence.
Robinson was on parole at the time of the robbery.
by CNB