The second of two men involved in armed robberies in North Delta and Surrey last year pleaded guilty in Surrey Provincial Court last week.
On Dec. 16, Craig Hall, 25, admitted to a string of 13 offences – including robbery, possession of stolen property and several weapons offences – in connection with an incident in October 2010.
Hall and Dylan Dempsey, who was 18 at the time, began by robbing a fast food outlet in North Delta near 120 Street and 73 Avenue on the morning of Oct. 22. Their faces were covered and they were carrying what police said appeared to be a sawed off shotgun and machete.
Just 20 minutes later, there was another armed robbery at a store near 132 Street and 85 Avenue in Surrey.
The getaway car was spotted by a Surrey RCMP officer a few minutes after the second holdup. When the driver realized he was being followed, he hit the gas pedal and started weaving through traffic.
An RCMP officer used a police cruiser to block the path of the fleeing Honda. The thieves slammed into the police car, then proceeded to try to back up to escape. But by that time, several other officers were on scene and the two suspects were arrested.
The getaway car, it turned out, was stolen. (see past story)
Dempsey, now 20, pleaded guilty to robbery and possessing a weapon for a dangerous purpose last May and was sentenced to 28 months jail and a 10-year firearms prohibition.
Hall is scheduled to be sentenced in February.
