Alex A. Craig

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Sarah Hawley

shawley@heartlandpublications.com

POMEROY — Alex A. Craig, 26, of Racine, plead guilty to three counts of aggravated robbery in connection with the robbery of three area gas station in the spring.

Meigs County Common Pleas Court Judge Christpher Tenoglia accepted the guilty plea and sentenced Craig on the first count. Tenoglia ordered a pre-sentencing investigation to be completed prior to sentencing on counts two and three. Sentencing on those counts will take place at 1 p.m. on November 28.

The original indictment included three counts of aggravated robbery, two with gun specifications and two counts of kidnapping. Per the plea agreement, the two counts of kidnapping were dropped.

The three counts of aggravated robbery are first degree felonies and carry a maximum sentence of 11 years and a maximum fine of $20,000. Craig could also be ordered to pay restitution.

According to the plea agreement read by Prosecutor Colleen Williams, the state will recommend a sentence of 30 years, and would not oppose judicial release after 24 years.

Craig plead guilty to the armed robbery of the TNT Pitstop in Syracuse on March 30, the TNT Pitstop in Chester on April 2, and the 124 Mart near Pomeroy on April 10.

The aggravated robbery charges from the robberies at the Chester TNT Pitstop and 124 Mart both carry a gun specification. The specification adds a mandatory one year sentence to be served consecutively to any other sentence.

The string of recent armed robberies in the area began on March 26 in Mason, W.Va., with the robbery of the Par Mar Convenience Store on Second Street. In the following two weeks, the TNT Pitstop in Syracuse, the TNT Pitstop in Chester, the J-Mart in Millwood, W.Va., and the 124 Mart near Pomeroy, were also robbed at gun point.

Craig has not been charged in connection with either of the two robberies in West Virginia. At the time of his arrest in April, Craig reportedly admitted to guilt in all five robberies when questioned by Meigs County Sheriff’s Deputy Adam Smith and Jackson County, W.Va., Sheriff’s Deputy Ross Mellinger.

Craig’s sister Marcy Craig was also indicted on three counts of aggravated robbery in connection with the three armed robberies at the Meigs County gas stations.

A jury trial for Marcy Craig is set to take place on Sept. 18 in Meigs County Common Pleas Court.