SPARTANBURG MAN RECEIVES 15-YEAR PRISON SENTENCE FOR CRIME SPREE

A Spartanburg man received a 15-year prison sentence today for crime spree that included the armed hold-ups of two local businesses.

Justin Young, 21, pleaded guilty to two counts of armed robbery, first-degree burglary and grand larceny. Circuit Judge Cordell Maddox issued a 20-year prison sentence that was suspended to 15 years of service and 5 years of probation. The probation includes alcohol and drug treatment.

On March 20, 2006, Young and another person broke into a Poplar Street home twice in a matter of 24 hours. The couple stole a computer, a car and other valuables. They also threatened the homeowner with a knife during the second break-in. The next day, Young and his co-defendant used the stolen car to rob the Dollar General store on Reidville Road and the Fast Phil’s convenience store on John. B. White Sr. Boulevard. He threatened the store employees with a kitchen knife while the co-defendant drove the getaway car. Police said they caught the duo moments after the second hold-up with the stolen money. They were driving the car taken during the Poplar Street burglary.

“The police did a good job with this case,” Principal Deputy Solicitor Barry Barnette said. “They caught two dangerous criminals before they had a chance to hurt anyone.”

First-degree burglary, armed robbery, accessory charges and unrelated drug charges are pending on the co-defendant, Laura T. Young, 21, of Spartanburg. The Youngs are married.

The crimes were investigated by the Spartanburg County Sheriff’s Office and the Spartanburg Public Safety Department.