Two people who staged an armed robbery at a Des Moines gas station last summer have been sentenced in separate hearings in Polk County District Court.
Samantha Lynn Buchman, 38, who was working as the store clerk the night of the incident, was sentenced Nov. 3 to two five-year prison terms that were suspended in favor of probation. Four days later, on Nov. 7, Blake Allan Christy, 35, the man who entered the store with a handgun, received two five-year prison sentences that he must serve in state custody. His two sentences run at the same time but will be added onto his existing parole obligations, according to court records.
The staged robbery occurred July 6 at the Git N Go at 4224 NW Second St. and both defendants were arrested July 24 in Ottumwa. According to criminal complaints, Christy walked into the store shortly before midnight wearing a blue hooded shirt and pointed a black handgun at Buchman while she was on shift. Buchman emptied the register and a safe near the floor into a Git N Go bag and handed it to him before he left.
Deputies located Christy minutes later in a nearby backyard and a chase ensued. According to the Polk County Sheriff’s Office, during the chase, he allegedly flashed a firearm and threatened self-harm but was able to jump a fence and get away. He then dropped the bag of money and his cell phone.
A review of text messages showed Buchman and Christy discussing plans to carry out the robbery during her shift and make it appear that she was the victim, according to court filings. Surveillance footage also showed the two inside the store the evening before the robbery.
Buchman pleaded guilty in September to second-degree theft and making a false report to a public entity.
Christy entered his guilty plea two days before sentencing, admitting to second-degree theft and interference with official acts involving a firearm. He was also wanted in Dubuque County on the Iowa Sex Offender Most Wanted List.
Nick El Hajj is a reporter at the Register. He can be reached at nelhajj@gannett.com. Follow him on X at @nick_el_hajj.
This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Pair who staged armed robbery at Des Moines gas station sentenced
Reporting by Nick El Hajj, Des Moines Register / Des Moines Register
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