SPARTANBURG MAN RECEIVES 50-YEAR PRISON SENTENCE FOR CAB HOLD-UP

A Spartanburg man received a 50-year prison sentence today for shooting a cab driver twice in the head during a hold-up.

Robert A. Young, 24, was found guilty of armed robbery and assault and battery with intent to kill at the conclusion of a three-day jury trial. Young will serve 85 percent of the prison sentence before he is eligible for release.

The shooting occurred about midnight on Nov. 1, 2006. Dixon Ijioma, 48, told police the robbery occurred near the intersection of Longview Drive and Belmont Street. Ijioma jumped out of the car and ran to a Whitney Road business where he received help. Ijioma told police he recognized the robber as a regular customer and later identified Young in a photo line-up without hesitation. Ijioma’s wallet, his cell phone and his car were taken during the hold-up. The defendant also drove the victim’s cab away from the crime scene in an attempt to cover up the act.

Police utilized telephone records and witness statements to identify Young as the suspect. Police also recovered the clothing that Young wore during the hold-up. The recovered clothing was stained with Ijioma’s blood.

“Mr. Ijioma is alive today as a result of a miracle,” Assistant Solicitor Derrick Bulsa said. “He survived two gunshot wounds that could have killed him.

“I believe the shooting occurred because the defendant knew Mr. Ijioma could identify him and he didn’t want that to happen,” Bulsa added.

Bulsa partnered with Assistant Solicitor Lauren Barnwell to prosecute the case.

Young’s prior criminal record includes convictions for threatening the life of a public official and three drug convictions.

For more information, contact Murray Glenn at 809-4892.