WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. – A robber who snapped a cell phone picture of himself pointing a firearm that was used during an armed holdup of $25,000 at Purdue FCU a year ago was sentenced to 30 years in prison.
The suspects left their cell phones, with snapshots of the weapons they used, in the getaway car that was eventually recovered by police. They also left their sweatshirts with traces of their DNA.
The sentence handed down to 26-year-old Xxavier Jones is the same given to Jones’ accomplice, 25-year-old Christopher Whirl, on May 31.
Just days before their scheduled jury trial, Jones and Whirl pleaded guilty to all 12 felonies against them: conspiracy to commit robbery; theft; three counts of robbery; and seven counts of theft.
Prosecutors said Whirl was armed with a handgun while Jones brought a stun gun.
Whirl also admitted to holding his gun against a woman inside the credit union, and one suspect jumped onto the counter, demanding cash.
The duo was caught, in part, due to a passer-by who followed Jones and Whirl after they left. They dumped their getaway vehicle. According to court documents, the vehicle was registered to Whirl and Whirl’s girlfriend.
