A North Carolina man who robbed a Home Depot store in Oakley and stabbed a loss prevention associate who tried to stop him will spend at least five years in prison. Darrell James Roeder, 31, pleaded guilty Monday to common law robbery and assault with a deadly weapon inflicting serious injury, Buncombe County District Attorney Todd Williams said Thursday. Roeder was arrested following a December 2016 incident in which police officers arrived at the store to find a loss prevention associate suffering from a stab wound in the arm.
The victim, a man who was not named by Williams’ office, observed Roeder attempting to steal several DeWalt power tools, at which time he intervened. As the victim tried to restrain Roeder, Roeder stabbed the LP associate in his arm. He later was treated for non-life threatening injuries. The total value of tools Roeder stole from Home Depot was $298, Williams said.
Superior Court Judge Bradley B. Letts sentenced Roeder to consecutive active sentences of 19-32 months for the robbery to be followed by 41-62 months for the assault. Letts also ordered Roeder to pay $1,391 in restitution, $700 in attorney fees, complete a mental health and substance abuse assessment while in custody, and to comply with treatment and job training. [Source: Citizen Times]