article courtesy of OurMidland
A Midlander who used a knife to rob a Midland gas station has been sent to prison for a maximum term of 25 years.
Frederick Allan Wood Jr., 47, was jailed for armed robbery and other offenses after the early morning Dec. 9 robbery at the Admiral gas station on South Saginaw Road. Midland Police followed his footprints in fresh snow and were able to subdue him after he tried to punch officers twice.
Wood appeared in court Thursday afternoon to be sentenced for the robbery by Circuit Judge Michael J. Beale.
Wood’s attorney, Lee Burton of Midland, said his client understood the serious nature of the crime would result in incarceration.
“He has been cooperative,” Burton said, adding Wood also has been cooperative with law enforcement.
“I’m so ashamed of myself, I have no words really,” Wood told Beale when given the chance to speak during the hearing. He said he would not have committed the offense if he had been in the right state of mind.
Assistant Midland County Prosecutor Joseph Amend listed Wood’s record, which includes 15 misdemeanor convictions and six felony convictions dating back to 1987, and said this time, he walked into a gas station with a knife and demanded money.
“I think that’s the very definition of a danger to society,” Amend said.
Beale told Wood he’s sure that the prospect of serving prison time for stealing $46 would not have seemed worth it if he had not been under the influence of something.
“You can’t walk away from the record you have,” Beale said. He levied 150 months — 12 1/2 years — to 25 years in prison with credit for 266 days. Amend noted the restitution amount of $46.99 has already been paid.
Charges of carrying a dangerous weapon with unlawful intent, and resisting and obstructing police, were dismissed. Armed robbery is punishable by up to life in prison.
