36-year-old John Jenkins, of Greenville was convicted of Armed Robbery and Possession of a Firearm by a Felon in Washington County following his guilty pleas on Tuesday.
On Friday, November 12, 2021, officers of the Greenville Police Department were called to the Double Quick gas station and convenience store located on West Alexander Street in response to an Armed Robbery in progress.
When the first officer arrived, he saw the suspect behind the counter wearing a black hoodie and a brown camouflage facemask.
The officer confronted the robber and commanded him to get down on the ground.
Additional officers arrived to apprehend the suspect and the victims identified Jenkins as the armed robber.
Witnesses told officers that Jenkins entered the store and approached the counter before pointing a firearm at the clerks and yelling at them not to move.
In fear for their safety and lives, the clerks ran and hid.
Jenkins proceeded to attempt to open the cash register and steal other items before being caught in the act by the police. Jenkins was later indicted for the Armed Robbery in addition to Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon due to a prior Robbery conviction.
With his trial set to begin Thursday morning, Jenkins appeared in the Circuit Court of Washington County on Tuesday where he entered his pleas of guilty to both counts.
Jenkins was sentenced by the Circuit Court Judge to twenty (20) years with fifteen (15) years to serve, followed by five (5) years of Post-Release Supervision.
This case was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Kaylon McCou who expressed his gratitude for the swift and brave response of the Greenville Police Department.
“The people of Greenville and this district deserve to get up and go to work every day without worrying that their lives will be threatened at gunpoint. This office will continue to fight for victims of crime and vigorously prosecute those who prey on our businesses and the employees who work there,”
Jenkins remains charged with a separate Armed Robbery alleged to have occurred earlier on the same night at Walgreens on Highway 1 where witnesses provided descriptions consistent with the facts and evidence in this case.
He remains innocent of that charge until proven guilty in a court of law.
