Published: October 23, 2009 07:14 pm      

Man pleads guilty for role in robbery

Agreement calls for four-year prison sentence

The second suspect in a November 2008 armed robbery at Arni’s Pizza, in New Albany, pleaded guilty Thursday to assisting a robbery, a class C felony.

Rayshawn M. Walker, 22, would be sentenced to four years at the Indiana Department of Correction and four years of probation if the plea agreement is accepted.

Walker and 18-year-old Jeffery Bradley Jr., of New Albany, were accused of robbing the restaurant, at 1208 State St., and then leading police on a wild chase into Louisville. Both were charged with class B felony armed robbery.

“Rayshawn has accepted responsibility for his role as the getaway driver in the robbery at Arni’s,” said William Gray, Walker’s attorney.

Witnesses inside the restaurant said that two men with guns entered the restaurant, according to a police report. One demanded cash from the person working the register, while the other reportedly demanded money from customers.

New Albany Police Department reportedly spotted the suspects’ vehicle near State and East Oak streets just after the robbery. They tried to stop the vehicle, but the suspects fled across the Sherman Minton Bridge into Louisville.

The vehicle eventually stopped in the 1600 block of Prentice Street in Louisville, and the two men fled on foot in different directions. Police caught up to Bradley, while Walker allegedly ran into a home. Residents there did not know Walker, police say.

Walker still has pending charges in Jefferson County for fleeing or evading police in the first degree and burglary in the second degree. Those charges are related to the police chase.

Bradley, 17 at the time of the robbery, was waived into adult court. He also pleaded guilty to class C felony robbery and was sentenced to 3 1/2 years in prison and six months probation. His earliest release date is in February.

Walker’s sentence was aggravated, due to a prior criminal history. Walker and Bradley must each pay $400 restitution to Arni’s.

Floyd County Superior Court 1 Judge Susan Orth said she would take the plea under advisement and decide whether or not to accept the agreement at a sentencing hearing Dec. 10.