Two men involved in the armed robbery of dollar stores in St. Louis County have received sentences exceeding 11 years in prison each. U.S. District Judge Sarah E. Pitlyk sentenced Deon Walker to 11 years and nine months this past Wednesday. Samuel Nance of Black Jack, Missouri, had previously been sentenced to 14 years in July. Both individuals admitted guilt to three felony charges, including two counts of robbery and one count of firearm possession and brandishing during a violent crime.
The first incident occurred on October 9, 2022, shortly after 6 p.m. at a dollar store in Berkeley, Missouri. Walker and Nance entered the premises with hoods and black ski masks. After being asked to remove their hoods, Walker brandished a black handgun at the staff and patrons, demanding money and ordering them to lie on the floor. During this robbery, a customer managed to flee the scene with two children, while another employee opened a cash register for Nance to empty. Walker forced a customer to the floor at gunpoint after escorting her to the storefront. The robbers then emptied another register and took approximately 18 packs of Newport cigarettes and $481 in cash.
Approximately 90 minutes later, the duo targeted another dollar store in Ferguson, Missouri. Walker brandished a handgun at a cashier to demand money, while Nance deterred a customer who attempted to leave by leaping over the counter. Walker snatched the cash drawer, and the duo fled the scene, stealing around $486.
The case was investigated by the FBI and the Berkeley Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Linda Lane led the prosecution.
