(Dearborn County, IN) – Gregory Lucas has been sentenced to 10 years in prison following his conviction for Attempted Armed Robbery (Level 3 felony) stemming from an incident in St. Leon last year.
The 20-year-old Lucas – who is from Cincinnati – entered a negotiated guilty plea, and on September 10, Dearborn Superior Court ll Judge Sally McLaughlin imposed the 10-year sentence with no portion of the penalty suspended.
The investigation began after a concerned citizen contacted Indiana State Police about someone who was attempting to arrange the purchase of a vehicle through Facebook Marketplace. According to investigators, the communications ultimately led to a planned meeting at the Amoco station in St. Leon. The citizen did not attend the meeting, and lSP investigators instead monitored the
location.
Authorities say Lucas arrived at the meet-up wearing a ski mask, jacket and long pants despite temperatures being in the 90s. Investigators say he appeared nervous, repeatedly looked over his shoulder, and walked around the property before troopers approached him.
When Trooper Kyle Stovall attempted to investigate further, Lucas pulled away and attempted to flee. Lucas then fought with Stovall and two other troopers before being taken into custody.
During the struggle, Lucas bit Trooper Stovall, scratched him and attempted to gouge his eye. Trooper Stovall suffered injuries including a bite that broke the skin, injuries to his face and shoulder, and a facial injury that investigators later described as resulting in a permanent scar.
Following Lucas’ arrest, troopers recovered a loaded Glock .40-caliber handgun with a round in the chamber and an extended magazine containing 18 additional rounds from his jacket pocket. An open Swiss Army knife was also recovered near the area where the struggle occurred.
A subsequent forensic examination of Lucas’ phone conducted by the High Tech Crimes Unit uncovered Facebook messages sent just hours before the planned meeting in which Lucas stated that he was going to rob those he had contacted through the social media platform. Investigators concluded that the messages, Lucas’ actions at the scene, and his possession of the loaded firearm and knife demonstrated his intent to commit an armed robbery.
“This was a dangerous situation that could have ended very differently. The quick and professional response of the Indiana State Police prevented an armed robbery from being carried out and protected an innocent citizen from ever being confronted by an armed offender,” said Dearborn County Prosecutor Lynn Deddens.
She thanked the state troopers and investigators involved in the case for their work in safely arresting Lucas and developing the evidence that led to his conviction.
Lucas was initially charged with Attempted Armed Robbery, three counts of Battery on a Public Safety Official, and Resisting Law Enforcement. Under the negotiated plea agreement, Lucas was convicted of Attempted Armed Robbery and the remaining charges were dismissed.
He’ll be transported to the Indiana Department of Corrections to serve the remainder of his sentence.
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