Commonwealth v. Clevester Antoine Lucas; Convicted Felon Sentenced to 19 Years, 6 Months for Bank Robbery

Virginia Beach, Va. – Colin D. Stolle, Commonwealth's Attorney for the city of Virginia Beach, announced that Clevester Antoine Lucas, age 38, formerly of Whittakers, North Carolina, was sentenced today for Armed Burglary of a Bank, Robbery (2 counts), Possession of a Firearm by a Violent Felon, Use of a Firearm (2 counts), Wearing a Mask in Public, and Eluding Police – Endangerment. Circuit Court Judge Tanya Bullock sentenced Lucas to 86 years with 66 years and six (6) months suspended, leaving nineteen (19) years and six (6) months to serve. This sentence was the high-end of the Virginia State Sentencing Guidelines recommendation.

Judge Bullock found Lucas guilty after a trial on March 28, 2022. The Commonwealth's evidence proved that on the afternoon of July 11, 2018, Clevester Lucas robbed the Wells Fargo on Independence Blvd at gunpoint. He wore gloves and covered his face with a bandana. The tellers gave Lucas over $7,500 cash, which had a GPS tracker hidden in it. As Lucas fled, detectives began monitoring his location using the GPS tracker. Virginia Beach police officers located a 2016 Toyota Corolla near Town Center and attempted to stop the vehicle. Lucas acted like he was going to comply, then fled in his vehicle and a short pursuit ensued.

Lucas crashed into two vehicles at the intersection of Virginia Beach Blvd and Independence Blvd. He exited his vehicle and ran, clutching a duffel bag. He dropped a firearm prior to being apprehended by officers. Inside the duffel bag, police found all of the bank's money and the clothing Lucas wore during the robbery. When interviewed by police, Lucas initially denied his involvement in the robbery and claimed a random person gave him the duffel bag. A bandana and gloves were found inside his vehicle.

Lucas has prior convictions for Robbery, Attempted Robbery, Use of a Firearm, Wearing a Mask in Public, Carrying Concealed Weapon, Reckless Handling of a Firearm, and Conspiracy to Discharge a Firearm into Occupied Property.

Assistant Commonwealth's Attorney Scott C. Vachris prosecuted this case. Please contact Macie Allen if additional information is desired.