Taking his chance by going to trial got an armed robber an extra three years for his part in the heist of Sparta Discount Drugs.
Ricky Allen Ashford II, 34, was sentenced to serve 13 years for aggravated robbery and vandalism. He received the maximum sentence on both counts. He was convicted following trial in Sparta in August and sentenced last week by Criminal Court Judge Leon Burns. The trial featured the testimony of several Warren County lawmen who helped captured the robbers.
Ashford’s 13 years come after his partner in crime, Christopher Stanley, 35, decided to plea out his case on the eve of his trial in January. He was given 10 years for the same crime.
Sparta police say two pulled a handgun and a taser while robbing Sparta Discount Drugs of numerous narcotics and cash. They fled the store but a description of their get-away vehicle was reported and then sent out as an all-points bulletin. They were spotted by Constable Junior Pennington as they entered Warren County.
Officers converged on the area where the car was spotted and a chase ensued onto Shady Rest Road, which runs nearly parallel with Sparta Highway just outside McMinnville city limits. With officers closing in from both sides, the men abandoned their vehicle and took off on foot into a wooded area located between Shady Rest and Sparta Highway.
One of the suspects was captured shortly after the chase began, while the second was nabbed using a tracking dog which led officers to his hiding place. Money, drugs and a handgun were recovered at the time of their arrests.