Henrico Man Pleads Guilty to Armed Robberies

RICHMOND, Va. – A brazen armed robbery spree in the Richmond area has come to an end, with a 19-year-old Henrico man pleading guilty to the crimes.

Josue Cano-Morales, 19, entered the Lucky Mart on Staples Mill Road on Jan. 22, 2024, waving a handgun and demanding cash from the register. The clerk handed over the money, but Cano-Morales wasn’t satisfied, forcing the clerk to the back office, where he took even more cash and a Snickers candy bar.

The robbery was just the first of two in a matter of hours. Cano-Morales then hit the Smokers World store, where he demanded money and forced the clerk to the backroom. He escaped with more cash and several vapes from a display.

Henrico County Police officers were hot on Cano-Morales’ trail, responding to the Lucky Mart robbery and spotting his bicycle at a nearby shopping center. They quickly apprehended him in a parking lot after he fled on foot from the Smokers World store.

Cano-Morales is scheduled to be sentenced on Oct. 11. He faces a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison for robbery and, consecutive to the sentence for robbery, seven years to life in prison for using, carrying, and brandishing a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence.

The federal charges against Cano-Morales are a stark reminder that armed robbery is a serious crime with severe consequences. Assistant U.S. Attorney Stephen E. Anthony is prosecuting the case, and a federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

With the guilty plea, the community can rest a little easier knowing that the perpetrator of these brazen crimes will face justice. But the incident serves as a stark reminder to local businesses to remain vigilant and take necessary precautions to protect themselves and their employees from potential threats.