BENTONVILLE -- A judge sentenced a Bentonville teen to 20 years in prison today for his role in the robberies of two Dollar General stores.
Chance Rowe, 17, was charged with two counts of aggravated robbery. He pleaded guilty to the lesser charge of robbery.
Rowe, who was charged as a adult, also pleaded guilty to two counts of theft of property and theft by receiving.
Rowe and Zachary Lucero, 27, of Bentonville were arrested June 11 in connection with the armed robbery of the Dollar General at 2107 S. Walton Blvd. in Bentonville. Two masked people took less than $1,000, according to a probable cause affidavit filed in court.
Two people also stole $2,900 on June 10 from the Dollar General at 1201 S. Eighth St.in Rogers. The suspects, one armed with a handgun, took money from two cash registers and fled in a white SUV, according to court documents.
Lucero told Bentonville police detectives that he and Rowe were "driving around looking for stuff to rob" because he owed $2,125 in rent, according to the affidavit.
Lucero claimed Rowe brought the gun with him from Oklahoma, according to the affidavit. Lucero said he never touched the gun and didn't know if it was loaded, according to court documents. Lucero said he didn't wear a mask in the Rogers robbery, but when he saw his photograph on social media after the robbery, he decided to wear a surgical mask during the Bentonville theft, according to the affidavit.
Rowe told detectives he helped Lucero commit the robberies and was the one who pointed the handgun at cashiers, according to the affidavit. Rowe said Lucero gave him the gun, according to the affidavit.
Circuit Judge Brad Karren sentenced Rowe to 20 years in the Arkansas Department of Correction. He will have to serve at least five years before he will be eligible for parole. He will have to abide by a suspended sentence agreement for 20 years after his release from prison.
He must pay $1,020 in court associated costs and $2,501 in victim restitution.
Rowe has been held in the Benton County Juvenile Detention Center since his arrest. He will remain in the juvenile facility until he is transferred to the state Department of Correction.
Lucero is being held in the Benton County Jail on a $100,000 bond.
NW News on 12/07/2017