BLACKSBURG MAN RECEIVES 28-YEAR PRISON SENTENCE FOR THREE-DAY CRIME SPREE

A Blacksburg man received a 28-year prison sentence today for a three-day crime spree that included the armed hold-up of an elderly man during a home invasion.

Gary R. Maynor, Jr., 33, pleaded guilty to two counts of armed robbery, first-degree burglary, attempted common-law robbery, receiving stolen goods and use of vehicle without owner’s consent. He will serve 85 percent of Circuit Judge Steven John’s prison sentence before he can be released.

The crime spree began March 26, 2007 when Maynor took a car from his parent’s Blacksburg home. Hours later, Maynor broke into a Crawford Road home while armed with a handgun and assaulted a 74-year-old man during a hold-up where $100 was taken. The next day, Maynor attempted to steal a pocketbook from a woman in the driveway of a Parker Road home. The woman refused to turn over the purse. The couple fought briefly before Maynor fled empty handed. The woman gave police a license plate number that matched the car that was stolen the previous day from the defendant’s parents. About 10 minutes later, Maynor approached a woman in the driveway of a Francis Road home and pointed a handgun at her. Maynor collected $7 from the second victim and fled the neighborhood. Police also discovered an outbuilding where Maynor stored several items taken during a residential burglary on Holly Ridge Road.

Police arrested Maynor on April 1.

Solicitor Trey Gowdy and Assistant Solicitor Kim Leskanic prosecuted the case as a team.

“Cherokee County is a safer place with Gary Maynor behind bars,” Gowdy said.