Serial Robber Gets 20 Years For Crimes

COLUMBUS, Ohio — A “shotgun”-wielding robber who terrorized Columbus-area businesses pleaded guilty to multiple charges and was sentenced Wednesday.

NBC 4 reported with the FAST FACTS.

Christopher Himelrick pleaded guilty in two cases: In the first case, he pleaded guilty to 13 counts of felony 2 burglary. He pleaded guilty to an indictment on one count of felony 2 burglary in the second case.

He was sentenced to 20 years total for both cases.

Himelrick was responsible for 14 robberies at coffee shops, restaurants, convenient stores and gas stations during June and early July 2009.

Himelrick was arrested Tuesday, July 7, after a robbery that led to a police pursuit and crash.

Columbus police, SWAT and ATF agents arrested Himelrick in a stolen vehicle at Marion and Lockbourne roads.

During interviews, police said Himelrick confessed his involvement in the numerous robberies associated with the serial-robbery case.

NBC 4 learned the shotgun used in some of the robberies was a BB gun that was modified to look like a shotgun.

Himelrick was on parole for a previous burglary.

ROBBERIES
- Friday, June 12: Starbucks coffee shop at 350 S. Third St.
- Friday, June 12: An individual at Mohawk and Whittier streets, German Village
- Saturday, June 13: 7-Eleven convenience store at 2481 Petzinger Rd., a drug store at 2940 Groveport Rd. and a Certified station at 1093 Frank Rd.
- Monday, June 15: Marathon station at 1690 S. High St.
- Thursday June, 18: Starbucks coffee shop at 350 S. Third St. and Tee Jayes Country Place Restaurant at 1335 Parsons Ave.
- Monday, June 22: Local pizza shop on East Broad Street (CPD said the pizza shop did not want its name released.)
- Tuesday, June 30: A drug store at 2940 Groveport Rd.
- Wednesday, July 1: Max & Erma’s at 739 S. 3rd St.
- Thursday, July 2: Cup o‘ Joe at 2418 E. Main St., Bexley
- Monday, July 6: Waffle House at 3960 S. High St.
- Tuesday, July 7: Certified station at 1093 Frank Rd.

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