Man Sentenced to 5 Years Following Trial Conviction for Robbing Rite Aid Cashier at Gunpoint in 2022

NORFOLK, Va. — Elbert Chauncey Massie Jr., 35, was sentenced on Friday to serve five years in prison for committing armed robbery and using a firearm in the commission of robbery in 2022 at a Norfolk Rite Aid.

On June 23, 2022, Mr. Massie entered the Rite Aid at 7601 Granby St. in Ward’s Corner and attempted to purchase a tobacco product. When he failed to show the cashier proper identification, he left the store, retrieved his ID, and returned with a bag in his hand that he had not initially been holding. When the cashier proceeded with the sale and opened the register, Mr. Massie pulled out a firearm from the bag and demanded all the cash from the register. The cashier complied, and Mr. Massie left the store. Norfolk Police were able to confirm Mr. Massie as the suspect because his ID was scanned in the process of his transaction, and the cashier remembered his face although it was partially covered by a mask.

Mr. Massie pleaded not guilty to his charges of armed robbery, using a firearm in the commission of robbery, and wearing a mask while to conceal his identity and chose to be tried by a judge on Feb. 22, 2024.

After hearing the evidence, Judge David W. Lannetti found Mr. Massie guilty of armed robbery and using a firearm in the commission of robbery. On Friday, Judge Lannetti sentenced Mr. Massie to serve five years in prison and suspended another eight years on the conditions that Mr. Massie complete five years of uniform good behavior and comply with supervised probation for an indefinite period during that time.

“Mr. Massie committed a violent crime, armed robbery, that endangered the innocent cashier, anyone else nearby, and Mr. Massie himself,” said Commonwealth’s Attorney Ramin Fatehi. “Thank you to the cashier for her cooperation in the case. With cooperative witnesses, good-quality cameras, and heads-up police work, we were able to try our case in court, convict Mr. Massie, and hold Mr. Massie accountable.” 

Assistant Commonwealth’s Attorney Alexander Rosenberg argued Mr. Massie’s sentence on behalf of the Commonwealth, and Norfolk Police Detective Maura A. Flatley led the investigation.

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Feb. 23, 2024

Judge Convicts Man of Robbing Rite Aid Cashier at Gunpoint in 2022

NORFOLK, Va. – A judge convicted Elbert Chauncey Massie Jr., 34, on Thursday of armed robbery and the use of a firearm in the commission of robbery from a 2022 incident at a Norfolk Rite Aid.

On June 23, 2022, Mr. Massie entered the Rite Aid at 7601 Granby St. and attempted to purchase a tobacco product. When he failed to show the cashier proper identification, he left the store, retrieved his ID, and returned with a bag in his hand that he had not initially been holding. When the cashier proceeded with the sale and opened the register, Mr. Massie pulled out a firearm from the bag and demanded all the cash from the register. The cashier complied, and Mr. Massie left the store. Norfolk Police were able to confirm Mr. Massie as the suspect because his ID was scanned in the process of his transaction, and the cashier remembered his face although it was partially covered by a mask.

Following a bench trial on Feb. 22, 2024, Norfolk Circuit Court Judge David W. Lannetti convicted Mr. Massie of armed robbery and the use of a firearm in the commission of robbery. He is docketed for sentencing on May 31.

“Store clerks work long hours for low pay. They deserve to be safe, and they do not deserve to have people pull guns on them and rob them,” said Commonwealth’s Attorney Ramin Fatehi. “We will continue to prosecute the people who commit these violent crimes in our community.”

Assistant Commonwealth’s Attorney Alberto Z. Herrero is prosecuting Mr. Massie’s case on behalf of the Commonwealth.

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