Willy Minaya, 28, must serve more than 15 years before he is eligible for parole, Passaic County Prosecutor Camelia M. Valdes said.
Minaya and co-defendant Emmanuel Rodriguez used a long screwdriver to rob a man sitting outside of a bar talking on his phone of his wallet and cellphone, Valdes said.
They fled in their car but were chased down by Paterson police, she said.
A jury convicted Minaya last February of robbery, theft and illegal weapons possession.
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