A Newport News couple has been indicted by a federal grand jury in connection with a string of robberies throughout eastern Virginia, including two in York County.
Christopher Robertson, 33, and Aquilla Jones, 38, are accused of robbing and attempting to rob 13 businesses in Virginia Beach, Newport News, York County, Chesapeake and Spotsylvania County, according to a U.S. Department of Justice news release.
On Wednesday, a federal grand jury for the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia returned an indictment for each of the Newport News residents.
The robberies took place between September 2013 and December 2014.
According to the release, there were also “unnamed co-conspirators” that agreed to rob the businesses.
Jones and Robertson are each charged with conspiracy to commit robbery, use of a firearm in a crime of violence, and Hobbs Act robbery.
Hobbs Act robbery refers to a robbery or attempted robbery that affects interstate or foreign commerce.
If they are convicted, Jones and Robertson each face a mandatory minimum sentence of 32 years in prison, and a maximum of life in prison.
- Sept. 24, 2013, Gulf Gas Station, 2120 Plank Road, Fredericksburg
- Oct. 1, 2013, Captain D’s, 2626 Princess Anne Street, Fredericksburg
- Oct. 6, 2013, Big Lots, 4318 George Washington Highway, Yorktown
- Oct. 8, 2013, Fast Mart, 5166 Mudd Tavern Road, Spotsylvania
- Oct. 13, 2013, Food Lion, 7100 Salem Fields Blvd. Spottsylvania (Attempt)
- Dec. 4, 2014, Citgo Gas Station, 780 J. Clyde Morris Ave., Newport News
- Dec. 6, 2014, Shell Gas Station, 600 Hampton Highway, Yorktown
- Dec. 6, 2014, Hop and Shop, 12961 Jefferson Avenue, Newport News
- Dec. 8, 2014, Shell Gas Station, 10732 Jefferson Avenue, Newport News
- Dec. 10, 2014, Smoke Shop, 3115 Western Branch Blvd., Chesapeake (Attempt)
- Dec. 11, 2014, Mini-Mart, Green Meadows Drive, Virginia Beach
- Dec. 12, 2014, Gulf Gas Station, 2120 Plank Road, Fredericksburg
- Dec. 13, 2014, Subway Restaurant, 9817 Jefferson Davis Hwy, Fredericksburg