Man who robbed Lynchburg convenience store will spend years in prison

LYNCHBURG, Va. – A man will spend years behind bars for his part in the armed robbery of a Lynchburg convenience store. 

On Tuesday, a jury convicted Darius Marquise Dukes on robbery and gun charges. The jury recommended that Dukes serve five years for robbery and three years for the use of a firearm in commission of a felony. 

Surveillance footage showed the December 6th robbery at the Fastmart 5 convenience store on Campbell Avenue. 

Dukes, while wearing a black ski mask and blue vinyl gloves, went behind the counter and physically restrained the store manager.  

A second suspect, Ronnie Peterson, who pleaded guilty to the same charges in July, pointed a gun at the manager and demanded money. The store manager testified that the men stole between $400 to $500 before running off. 

Dukes and the other two suspects were stopped the next day in a Mercury Grand Marquis that the Lynchburg Police Department had identified as a vehicle of interest.  A subsequent search of that car resulted in a seizure of a .40 caliber Smith & Wesson handgun consistent with that seen in the store surveillance, numerous blue vinyl gloves consistent with those worn by Dukes in the store, and a black ski mask.

Dukes is set for final sentencing on October 24. The third suspect from the robbery, Malcolm West, is currently scheduled for trial on August 27.