A Lancaster woman will serve up to 10 years in prison for robbing a man at gunpoint, then driving at police officers who responded to the robbery scene.
Jenine Morales, 18, previously pleaded guilty to felony robbery and aggravated assault, misdemeanor reckless endangerment and related counts regarding the Sept. 17, 2017, incidents on South Christian Street.
Lancaster County President Judge Dennis Reinaker recently jailed Morales for 4 to 10 years.
Assistant District Attorney Travis S. Anderson called it an “unusually dangerous robbery” in which multiple people pulled guns on the victim, and one of the robbers, Elias Brown, fired several shots.
(Brown is serving 6 to 12 years in prison.)
Morales was 17 when it happened; she was charged as an adult due to the seriousness of the crime. She petitioned to have the case moved to juvenile court, but eventually withdrew that motion.
She drew a firearm on the victim, then served as getaway driver, Anderson explained.
As she was driving on South Christian Street (an alleyway), she sped up, prompting two officers on foot to veer out of the way to avoid being struck.
Anderson noted Morales had two deadly weapons that day: a firearm and the vehicle.
Morales apologized in court before President Judge Reinaker ordered sentence.
The victim was robbed of Timberland boots, cash, and a jean jacket.
Lancaster city police Detective Robert Whiteford filed charges.
MEDIA CONTACT: Brett A. Hambright, 717-295-2041; bhambright@co.lancaster.pa.us; Twitter: @BrettHambright