PHILADELPHIA, PA — A Lancaster man, Micael Dilone Rojas Diaz, 25, was sentenced Tuesday to 106 months (nearly nine years) in federal prison for the armed robbery of a convenience store in Chester County last year.
U.S. District Judge John M. Gallagher also ordered Rojas to serve three years of supervised release, pay a $1,000 fine, and provide restitution totaling $518.61.
Rojas pleaded guilty in June to Hobbs Act robbery and brandishing a firearm during a violent crime. He was indicted in May 2024 for the February 10 robbery at a Turkey Hill store on Horseshoe Pike in Honey Brook, Pennsylvania.
Court records detail that Rojas and co-defendant Ashley Santos-Rodriguez entered the store masked during early morning hours. Rojas aimed a loaded .40 caliber pistol at a 59-year-old clerk while Santos stole cigarettes. They fled with about $124 in cash and around 40 packs of Newport cigarettes.
Police apprehended them roughly 20 minutes later and recovered the stolen money and goods.
“Pointing a gun in the face of a store clerk to steal a handful of cash and cigarettes is both reckless and dangerous,” said U.S. Attorney David Metcalf. “This office will continue to pursue lengthy prison terms for armed criminals who terrorize hardworking members of our community.”
The investigation was led by Pennsylvania State Police and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, with prosecution by Assistant U.S. Attorney Thomas M. Zaleski.
