A Lancaster man has been sentenced to nearly nine years in prison for his role in the armed robbery of a convenience store in Chester County. Micael Dilone Rojas Diaz, 25, received a sentence of 106 months’ imprisonment, three years of supervised release, a $1,000 fine, and was ordered to pay $518.61 in restitution by United States District Judge John M. Gallagher.
Rojas Diaz was indicted in May 2024 on charges of Hobbs Act robbery and using, carrying, and brandishing a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence. He pleaded guilty to both charges in June.
According to court filings and the defendant’s admissions, Rojas Diaz and co-defendant Ashley Santos-Rodriguez entered the Turkey Hill convenience store on Horseshoe Pike in Honey Brook during the early hours of February 10, 2024. Both wore masks as they confronted the only person present—a 59-year-old clerk.
Rojas Diaz pointed a loaded .40 caliber semiautomatic pistol at the clerk’s face while Santos-Rodriguez took cigarettes from behind the counter. The pair left with approximately $124 in cash and about 40 packs of Newport cigarettes before fleeing by vehicle. Police apprehended them about 20 minutes later during a traffic stop and recovered the stolen items.
United States Attorney David Metcalf stated: “This Office is committed to prosecuting violent crimes that threaten our communities. Armed robberies such as this one place innocent lives at risk and will be met with serious consequences.”
The investigation was conducted by the Pennsylvania State Police and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. Assistant United States Attorney Thomas M. Zaleski prosecuted the case.
