Virginia Beach, Va. - A part-time pizza delivery driver now accused of bank robbery showed up to court Thursday with one of the pricey lawyers who recently defended former Gov. Bob McDonnell on corruption charges.
John A. Lewis is accused with another man of robbing a Wells Fargo bank in December, where records show tellers handed over $34,000. At the time, police said the robbery appeared to be the work of serial criminals who had successfully pulled of several previous heists. A state trooper pursued the robbers into a nearby neighborhood, but was repelled in a barrage of bullets. The trooper was hurt, but survived. The trooper's car and neighborhood homes were pocked with bullet holes. Police later arrested Lewis and Rory Duke Diggs.
- Court documents reveal more info on Virginia Beach bank robbery suspects
- UPDATE: Police no longer searching for third suspect in Wells Fargo bank robbery case
- UPDATE: Second bank robbery suspect arrested overnight; Search still active for third suspect
Tom Shuttleworth, one of the state's most successful lawyers, pushed to have Lewis' probable-cause hearing held as scheduled on Thursday. The prosecutor, however, said she had just received from police the massive case file, including a summary that stretches 125 pages. The judge granted the prosecutor more time to prepare.
Lewis' co-defendant, a man listed in court records as an occasional day laborer, is also represented by top legal talent. Diggs has hired noted criminal defender James Broccoletti.
Both are scheduled for preliminary hearings on April 3.
