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Men charged in Virginia Beach bank robbery and shooting at state trooper to be sentenced

Posted at 10:09 AM, Jul 11, 2016
and last updated 2016-07-11 10:10:06-04

VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. – The two men charged with robbing a Virginia Beach bank and shooting at a Virginia State Police trooper will be sentenced this week.

Both pleaded guilty to their crimes back in April.

Rory Duke Diggs

Rory Duke Diggs

Rory Diggs and John Lewis pleaded guilty to charges of attempted capital murder of a law enforcement officer, three counts of robbery and three counts of the use of a firearm.

Both men face a sentencing of up to four life terms plus 13 years. Lewis will be sentenced on Monday and Diggs will be sentenced on Wednesday.

Diggs and Lewis were charged in the December robbery of a Wells Fargo bank on General Booth Blvd.

Police records show the robbers escaped with $34,000.

John Anthony Lewis

John Anthony Lewis

The pair’s fleeing truck caught the attention of a State Police sergeant who was not involved in the bank robbery investigation. The trooper pursued the truck into a residential court, trapping the men there.

Neighbors said the men opened fire on the trooper. A bullet grazed his head and the robbers got away.

Hours later, police arrested Diggs in a nearby back yard. Lewis was arrested the next day.

Ten witnesses were called during the preliminary hearings, including the trooper who was shot at.

Monday, we are expected to hear victim impact statements.

Previous coverage:

Two men plead guilty in Virginia Beach Wells Fargo robbery case; both are facing four life terms

Conflict of interest sparks search for outside judge in Virginia Beach bank robbery case

Pizza driver accused in Virginia Beach bank robbery, former governor share same attorney

Court documents reveal more info on Virginia Beach bank robbery suspects

Police no longer searching for third suspect in Wells Fargo bank robbery case