A jury on Tuesday afternoon found Alberto Delatorre guilty of being an accomplice to aggravated robbery and theft of property after deliberating in Washington County Circuit Court. He received a sentence of 10 years in prison and a $250 fine.
Delatorre was one of three men who robbed a taxi cab driver July 19, according to Fayetteville police. Another suspect in the case, Javaughntaiye Willis, is accused of holding a machete to the driver’s throat during the robbery, according to a preliminary report from the Washington County Prosecutor’s Office.
The aggravated robbery charge carried a sentence of 10 to 40 years in prison or life in prison. The theft of property charge carried a potential sentence of up to six years in prison or a $250 fine. The jury recommended the minimum sentence on each charge, and Judge William Storey followed the jurors’ recommendations.
Willis’ case is set for trial April 14 in Circuit Court. He is also charged with being an accomplice to aggravated robbery and theft of property, according to court documents.
Delatorre, Willlis and a 17-year-old boy were arrested shortly after the robbery, according to Fayetteville police. A driver for NWA Taxi told police three men came up to his taxi, one wielding a machete and demanded money. The three allegedly took the driver’s money, wallet, and cell phone, according to the taxi company.
The theft victim called Fayetteville police after the robbery.
Police investigated the incident and arrested one of the suspects at a home on Betty Jo Drive in Fayetteville. He and the other occupants of the home were questioned. Shortly afterward, police had arrested three people in connection with the case.
