Two People Sentenced In Machete Case

— A robbery case that involved a machete ended this week with prison sentences for two people.

Christopher Cage and Emily Tyler pleaded guilty for their roles in the June 2012 robbery of Advantage One Auto Insurance in Bentonville.

Cage, 22, of Rogers appeared in court Monday. He pleaded guilty to aggravated robbery and battery in the second degree. Tyler, 23, of Rogers was in court Thursday. She pleaded guilty to accomplice to robbery, a Class B felony.

Circuit Judge Brad Karren sentenced Cage to 20 years in the Arkansas Department of Correction. Cage must abide by a suspended sentence agreement for 20 years after his release. Cage must serve at least 14 years in prison before he will be eligible for parole. A person convicted of aggravated robbery must serve 70 percent of their sentence.

Karren sentenced Tyler to 12 years in prison. Tyler will have to abide by a suspended sentence agreement for eight years after her release from prison. Tyler must serve at least three years in prison before she will be eligible for parole.

Cage and Tyler, who were in a relationship at the time of the robbery, were arrested in Polk County, Fla., days after the June 1 incident and taken back to Benton County.

Bentonville police learned a man with a machete entered the business in the 2300 block of Southeast 28th Street and demanded money, according to court documents.

The man left after a confrontation that left an employee of the business with minor injuries to his face and wrist after Cage threw a machete at him, according to court documents.

Police later identified Cage as the man with the machete and Tyler as the woman who drove the vehicle that fled the scene, according to a probable cause affidavit.

Cage pleaded guilty under an agreement Tiffany Fields, deputy public defender, reached with Stuart Cearley, chief deputy prosecutor. Tyler pleaded guilty under an agreement attorney John Baureis reached with Cearley.

“This is a favorable outcome for both the state and Mr. Cage,” Fields said. “Mr. Cage is young and has all the potential in the world, but unfortunately he made a terrible mistake. He took responsibility for his actions, made a sincere open court apology, and will be serving a significant amount of time.

“Now, the victim will not be forced to relive this incident at trial. Instead, he and his family will be able to put this behind them and move forward with their lives, and that is what Mr. Cage wanted.”

Upcoming Events