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In November 2023, Chester Lewis, 49, of Oxon Hill, and Al Gibran Taylor, 42, of Reston walked into the store with the intention of robbing it of cash, which had previously been scoped out by the Maryland resident.
During that robbery, prosecutors say that Lewis was armed with a .223/5.56 mm caliber semi-automatic rifle, which he pointed at customers and ordered them to put their hands in the air, while Taylor attempted to open a cashier booth, which contained the store’s register and safe.
According to investigators, when Taylor found the booth locked, Lewis identified the store’s cashier, grabbed her by the neck, and brought her to the cashier booth, which was then opened, and the pair "removed a large amount of cash from the store’s safe."
Lewis was arrested in March during a search of his Maryland home, when the rifle used during the robbery as well as a privately made firearm with no serial number, a shotgun, and ammunition were all recovred.
A subsequent search a week later led to the recovery of a handgun and additional ammo.
In June, Lewis pled guilty to interference with commerce by robbery and unlawful possession of a firearm, while Taylor pleaded guilty to use of a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence.
Investigators made note that Lewis and Taylor have multiple prior convictions.
In August 1994, Lewis was convicted of possession with intent to distribute cocaine; in May 1997, he was convicted of possession with intent to distribute cocaine while armed, and he topped it off in October 2005 when he was found guilty in Virginia distribute and possess with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of cocaine base.
Taylor was convicted in December 2006 of possession of a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence during which the firearm was discharged and in June that year for possessing a firearm after being convicted of a felony.
Lewis has been sentenced to 15 years and eight months in prison, while Taylor was hit with a 25-year sentence.
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