Man Sentenced In Store Robbery

A 22-year-old man who pleaded guilty in November to robbing a New London bank last year has been sentenced after entering a plea in to involvement in a store robbery.

Michael Drayton, of 13 Jefferson Avenue, was ordered by Judge Patrick J. Clifford to serve seven years of a 12-year prison sentence with three years of probation after entering an Alford plea to first-degree robbery. The plea recognizes that the state has enough evidence for a conviction but does not admit guilt.

According to a report by Detective Richard E. Curcuro of the , three men robbed at knifepoint on June 28, 2010. The men took $400 from the register and cigarettes worth about $159.85. Three days later, three men were involved in the robbery of the on Masonic Street.

In the latter robbery, one employee recognized Drayton as the son of a customer. Witnesses said Drayton jumped over the counter and demanded money. He was later apprehended on Hempstead Street after tackling Police Chief Margaret Ackley, and officers found that he was carrying a bag containing $8,757.

Drayton pleaded guilty to second-degree robbery in November in relation to the bank robbery. He was sentenced to four years and seven months of a 12-year prison sentence as well as three years of probation.

Police also arrested then 25-year-old Darren Hall and then 26-year-old Walter Hoelck in connection to the two robberies. Hall also entered an Alford plea to first-degree robbery in relation to the store incident, as well as a no contest plea to fifth-degree larceny; he pleaded guilty to second-degree robbery and no contest to second-degree larceny in relation to the bank robbery in January. Hall was to serve seven years of a 12-year sentence with three years of probation in relation to the store robbery and a concurrent sentence of six out of 10 years with three years probation on the bank robbery charges.

Hoelck entered an Alford plea on June 9 to first-degree robbery as well as a guilty plea to accessory to second-degree robbery, and the plea agreement calls for him to serve at least four years and seven months of a 12-year prison sentence as well as three years of probation. He will be sentenced on August 17.