WASHINGTON COUNTY JURY CONVICTS MAN OF ROBBERY OF CHAPPELL HILL EXXON

  

A Washington County jury has convicted a Lincoln man of Aggravated Robbery.

Fifty-six year old Frank Ortegon, of Lincoln, was convicted by a jury of Aggravated Robbery for robbing the Chappell Hill Exxon at gunpoint on October 19 of 2013.

The charge, a first degree felony, was handed down Wednesday morning, sentencing Ortegon to 40 years on Wednesday afternoon.

Ortegon was indicted on July 17, 2014.

Judge J.D. Langley presided over the trial in the 21st District Court, First Assistant District Attorney Eric Berg represented the State at trial, and Elizabeth Zweiner represented the Defendant. Ortegon elected to have the jury assess punishment in the case.

On October 2, 2014 the defendant was arrested after an investigation by the Washington County Sheriff’s Office, along with assistance from the Burleson County Sheriff’s Office.

Testimony at trial showed that Ortegon entered the store and hid, until the clerk locked and closed the door.  At that time Ortegon, at gunpoint, duct taped the clerk’s hands together, placed him in a chair, and pushed him into a corner.  The others were signaled to enter the store and leave with money from the cash drawer, merchandise, and the clerk’s phone, keys, and wallet.

District Attorney Julie Renken spoke on the investigation later saying, “Because of interagency cooperation and information sharing, the Washington County Sheriff’s Office was able to solve what would have become a cold case.”  Asked about the verdict and sentence she continued, “I could not be more pleased.  The sentence says to would-be criminals that a jury in Washington County will not stand for this type of behavior…”