Three sentenced in motel robbery

VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. (WAVY) - Three prior felons were sentenced this week to serve more than 10 years in jail each for robbing a Virginia Beach motel last year.

Just after 1 a.m. on April 24, police were called to the Sundial Motel at 308 21st Street for a report of a robbery. The motel employee told 911 dispatchers two gunmen entered the business wearing masks and demanded money.

Shots were fired, and witnesses said they saw the men running towards 20th Street and Arctic Avenue. No one was hit in the gunfire.

Meanwhile, officers in the area saw a vehicle, occupied by two men, circling the area. The officers followed the vehicle, pulling it over on I-264 for a traffic stop.

Police spokeswoman Grazia Moyers said Jaquan Cheek and another man were arrested without incident, but the officers didn't know two additional suspects were hiding in the back seat. Moyers said the two men, Maurice Sneed and Darius Casey jumped into the front seat and drove away from the scene.

A pursuit ensued and spikes were used to stop the vehicle. Moyers said Sneed and Casey then crashed the vehicle into a sign at the corner of General Booth Boulevard and Rudee Inlet. As officers closed in, both men tried to escape on foot but were located by a police helicopter and a K-9 unit.

Casey was sentenced to 16 years in prison. His prior convictions include burglary, larceny, grand larceny and eluding police.

Sneed was sentenced to 11 years and 8 months. His prior convictions include possession with intent to distribute marijuana, assault and discharging a firearm in a public place causing injury.

Cheek was sentenced to 13 years and has prior convictions for robbery, drug possession and petit larceny.

The fourth suspect, Leroy Harris, has a review hearing Feb. 27.