By Sharyn L. Decker
Lewis County Sirens news reporter
CHEHALIS – The 18-year-old Chehalis man who admitted he was driving the getaway car when an acquaintance robbed a woman at the TwinStar Credit Union’s ATM machine in March was sentenced today to nine months in jail.
James M. Rocha offered an apology in court, on behalf of his family and the victim.
James M. Rocha
“I am guilty of driving the vehicle,” Rocha said. “And I am guilty of having the suspicion something was going on.”
Rocha pleaded guilty to second-degree robbery, as an accomplice.
Prosecutors lowered the charge from first-degree robbery and agreed to recommend nine months in jail in exchange for his plea.
Lewis County Superior Court Judge Nelson Hunt went along with it this afternoon.
The victim had gone to the 1500 block of South Market Boulevard in Chehalis to deposit a check in the ATM at about 9:15 p.m. on March 26. A male wearing a black bandana over his face approached her and told her to “empty all your cash,” but when she said she had none, he demanded her cell phone, which she turned over, according to police and court documents. The 42-year-old woman was unhurt.
Andre F. Santiago
Witnesses in the area recognized the small reddish car and one of them took down its license plate as it sped away. Police first contacted Rocha at his home in the same end of town. Police were also able to “ping” the stolen cell phone.
The 20-year-old friend, Andres F. Santiago, turned himself in about two weeks after the incident and told police he’d forced Rocha and their 15-year-old companion to drive him around that night, and they hadn’t done anything wrong.
Santiago, also from Chehalis, had gotten himself into inpatient treatment to get help with drug addiction, and was working with Cascade Mental Health when he contacted police to confess.
He pleaded guilty as charged – to first-degree robbery – a week and a half ago, and was sentenced to three years in prison.
Santiago had no criminal history. Rocha had a juvenile felony from four years prior.
Lewis County Senior Deputy Prosecutor Will Halstead said the 15-year-old boy who was with them that night was not charged with a crime, as he was asleep in the back seat of the car.
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For background, read “Three arrested in connection with Chehalis ATM shakedown” from Friday April 10, 2015, here
Tags: By Sharyn L. Decker, news reporter