Man faces up to 50 years for armed robberies that netted about $20

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MIDDLESEX COUNTY — A Woodbridge man has been convicted of robbing two people and injuring one of them early last year in holdups that netted him about $20, authorities said Thursday.

Anthony Vinas, 23, faces up to 50 years in state prison when he is sentenced on June 8, said Middlesex County Prosecutor Bruce Kaplan.

Vinas was found guilty Tuesday of two counts of armed robbery and one count each of aggravated assault, possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose and unlawful possession of a weapon.

Martha McKinney, Middlesex County assistant prosecutor, showed that Vinas brandished a knife and robbed two people during separate incidents in Perth Amboy on Jan. 16, 2009, Kaplan said.

In the first robbery, at 5:40 a.m., he approached a 77-year-old man who was waiting in the lobby of his King Street apartment building. Vinas showed a knife and demanded money from the victim, who was waiting for a ride to work, the prosecutor said. When the man gave him $11, Vinas slashed the left side of his face, punched him in the mouth and stabbed him in his rib cage before knocking him to the floor.

The robber then said, "This isn't enough," and tossed the money back at the victim, Kaplan said, citing the victim's testimony. The victim then took his money and went outside to meet his ride, only to have Vinas punch him, demand his wallet and flee with the $11.

Authorities said Vinas approached a 42-year-old woman moments later at the corner of State and Market streets, brandishing the knife and demanding cash. When the woman ran, Vinas followed and poked her with the knife until she stopped and dropped her pocketbook.

Vinas took between $6 and $12 from the purse before fleeing, Kaplan said. A witness who had seen the encounter called police, who apprehended him on Smith Street.

The 77-year-old was hospitalized as a result of his injuries and is no longer able to work, Kaplan said. He must use a cane to help him walk.

Vinas faces 10 to 50 years in prison and must serve 85 percent of the term before he is eligible for parole, Kaplan said. He will be sentenced by Superior Court Judge Michael Toto, sitting in New Brunswick.

http://www.mycentraljersey.com/article/20100422/NEWS/4220349/Woodbridge+man+faces+up+to+50+years+for+armed+robberies+that+netted+about++20

[I AM NOT THAT GUY 5,715]

They say crime doesn't pay. Even stealing $100,000 divided by 20 years, out in 10, doesn't even get you but $10,000 a year to live in a shithole 6 by 8 foot cell, if you're lucky.

Edited April 23, 2010 by ##########

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