Four individuals have been sentenced for their roles in a violent armed robbery at the U.S. Grocery and Tobacco store in Hopkins, Minnesota, which resulted in a $45,000 theft. The incident occurred on February 15, 2024, and was characterized as an “inside job” due to the involvement of a store employee.
Details of the Crime
At approximately 10 p.m., Darius Curtis Elam and Ryan Michell Elam entered the store armed with firearms. They bound and blindfolded two employees with duct tape and assaulted the manager, pistol-whipping her to obtain the safe code. The robbers then stole cash, a firearm, and an SUV belonging to one of the victims. The getaway vehicle was traced back to Katrice Rene Sanders, who had provided the car for the escape. Kynesha Jhaunae Jones, a store employee, had supplied information about the store’s layout and cash handling procedures to the Elams.
Sentencing Outcomes
- Darius Curtis Elam, aged 30, was sentenced to 112 months in federal prison.
- Ryan Michell Elam, also 30, received a 109-month sentence.
- Katrice Rene Sanders, 32, was sentenced to 34 months in prison.
- Kynesha Jhaunae Jones, 34, had previously been sentenced to 32 months.
All four defendants pleaded guilty to charges including Hobbs Act robbery and brandishing a firearm during a crime of violence. The sentences were handed down by U.S. District Judge Donovan W. Frank.
Investigation and Prosecution
The case was investigated by the FBI and the Hopkins Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney William C. Mattessich prosecuted the case. The investigation revealed that the robbery was meticulously planned over two weeks, with each defendant playing a specific role in the execution and aftermath of the crime.
This case underscores the serious consequences of armed robbery and the importance of thorough investigations in bringing perpetrators to justice.
