4 people face years in prison after robbery spree that ended in high-speed chase and shots fired at police
A 25-year-old Omaha woman was sentenced in federal court for conspiracy to interfere with commerce by robbery.
Adrionna Leeper was sentenced to a little over six years in prison without the possibility of parole. She must also pay over $8,000 in restitution.
On Feb. 24, 2022, a robbery occurred at the Midwest Smoke Shop near 70th and Dodge streets. The store employee said there were four people in the store, and one of them demanded money and the employee's cellphone.
When the employee refused and armed himself with a baseball bat, he was assaulted by one of the suspects. They left without money from the store but were able to grab cash from the tip jar.
Video showed Leeper participating in the robbery as well as Quinn Louis, according to the Department of Justice.
On Feb. 25, 2022, at about 6:30 p.m., a robbery occurred at the Family Dollar near N 30th Street and Newport Avenue. Both witnesses and employees said a man showed a handgun and demanded money from the registers and safes.
The suspect got away with over $1,300.
The DOJ said Faye Hardesty worked at that store leading up to the incident.
On the same day, at a little after 7 p.m., there was a robbery at the Family Dollar near 16th and Ohio streets, where witnesses described the same man as the other robber, who also showed a handgun and demanded money.
Then, a little before 9:30 p.m., there was a robbery at the Bucky's/Casey's Gas Station near 24th and Martha streets, where the clerk described the same suspect from earlier who also showed a handgun and demanded cash.
Later, at a little after 10 p.m., the MegaSaver Gas Station near 108th and Blondo streets was robbed by a man who showed a handgun demanding money and was described as the prior robberies.
The same thing occurred by the same described person at the Casey's/Bucky's Gas Station near 40th and Dodge streets at about 10:30 p.m.
On Feb. 26, 2022, around 11:50 p.m., the Valero Select Mart Gas Station near 13th and Vinton streets was robbed by a man described as the same as before who showed a handgun and demanded money.
That same day, the Kwik Shop in Ralston was also robbed.
Previous coverage: Omaha police identify four suspects arrested in string of at least 10 robberies
On Feb. 27, 2022, at a little after 1 a.m., the QuikTrip Gas Station near 32nd Street and Avenue H in Council Bluffs was robbed by a man with a handgun demanding cash from the register.
And then, at a little before 3:30 a.m. on the 27th, the QuikTrip Gas Station near Fort Crook Road and Chandler Road was robbed at gunpoint.
About 90 minutes later, the QuikTrip Gas Station near 72nd and Hickory streets was robbed at gunpoint.
On Feb. 28, 2022, at about 10:30 p.m., there was an attempted robbery at the Smoke and Vape 24th and F streets. The suspect was not able to get into the business.
There were three robberies in Lincoln on March 1, 2022, including one where the clerk had been "pistol-whipped." A customer at another one of the robberies was kicked in the head.
Another robbery happened on March 1 in Omaha, and police were flagged down while the robbery was happening. The officers identified the vehicle of the suspect, and this led to a pursuit, which resulted in the police getting shot at.
The pursuit ended in Springfield, Nebraska, and four suspects were arrested.
The suspects were Leeper, Hardesty, Louis, and D'Juan Beverly Jr.
Louis, Hardesty, and Beverly pled guilty to conspiracy to interfere with commerce by robbery and discharging a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence.
Louis and Beverly were sentenced to 20 years in prison and to pay over $8,000 in restitution.
Hardesty was sentenced to six-and-a-half years in prison and to pay over $8,000 in restitution.