Despite cinematic attempt to steal cigarettes from Norfolk 7-Eleven, two men now have jail time

NORFOLK, Va. (WAVY) — Two men were sentenced in Norfolk after engaging in a cinematic yet poorly executed plan to rob cigarettes from a 7-Eleven in January.

On Jan. 18, Thomas Kennedy Jr. and Walter Chatman went into the 7-Eleven at 6900 N. Military Highway to rob the clerk of cigarettes. Chatman attempted to provide a diversion, so he pulled out a glass bottle from the refrigerator and dropped it in an attempt to lure the clerk away from the counter.

It didn’t work.

After calling out to the clerk about the mess, Chatman was advised to leave the mess and it would be cleaned up later.

With the initial plan failing, Kennedy devised a plan B and poured himself a cup of coffee. He approached the counter then threw the cup of coffee onto the clerk’s chest before hitting him in the face. Chatman joined in, grabbing a sign from the floor to hit the clerk while Kennedy grabbed cartons of cigarettes from the display area behind the counter.

The two then fled with their stolen goods. Luckily, the clerk was not injured and provided police with surveillance footage.

Kennedy was arrested and waived his right to remain silent before talking to detectives. He also identified himself in the surveillance footage.

Both men were charged with robbery using force and conspiring to commit robbery by force.

Kennedy entered a plea agreement on July 23 to plead guilty to robbery by force, with the remainder of the charges dismissed. Kennedy was sentenced to serve five years in prison with another five years suspended on the condition that he complete five years of uniform good behavior following his release. Since he was also in violation of his probation for prior offenses, Kennedy has to serve two years of a previously suspended sentence on top of his robbery sentence, a total of seven years.

On Oct. 10, Chatman entered an agreement to plead guilty to both of his charges and serve three years in prison with another 12 years suspended on the conditions that he be of uniform good behavior for seven years and complete two years of supervised probation following his release.

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