Two NY men charged for January violent robbery, high-speed chase

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Jefferson County, PA – After a robbery and high-speed chase in Jefferson County in January 2021, two men from New York state have been sentenced to up to about 50 years in prison for the violent crime.

Jefferson County District Attorney Jeff Burkett announces that two Jamestown, NY men have received lengthy state prison sentences regarding their involvement in a January 25, 2021 violent home invasion and armed robbery in Anita, PA.

The incident culminated in a high-speed police chase and vehicle crash in Rose Township, just outside of Brookville Borough.

On June 16, 2021, Dennis Penhollow, Jr. was sentenced to 18 to 50 years after pleading guilty to burglary, criminal conspiracy to commit burglary, 6 counts of theft by unlawful taking, robbery, and criminal conspiracy to commit robbery.

On the same day, Blake T. Truver was sentenced to 19 to 53 years after pleading guilty to burglary, criminal conspiracy to commit burglary, theft by unlawful taking (6 counts), fleeing and attempting to elude officers, aggravated assault by vehicle, recklessly endangering another person (5 counts), possession of a controlled substance (2 counts), possession of drug paraphernalia (2 counts), and simple assault.

Burkett stated, “These two actors violently forced the victim’s door open, struck her over the head with a tire iron, and then continued to violently assault her while threatening her with a knife they got from the victim’s kitchen. They proceeded to steal 6 firearms, guitars, and other property and then fled when they were caught in the act. The Pennsylvania State Police quickly responded and were led on a chase at speeds well exceeding 100 miles per hour which ended in a spectacular crash just outside of Brookville.”

Burkett continued, “Such a violent incident sounds like crimes you would expect to hear about in Philadelphia or Chicago. When people come to Jefferson County and engage in this kind of terrible crime, we want to make sure they don’t get a Philadelphia or Chicago-style sentence. These men will be off the streets for about two decades as a result of our efforts.”

Burkett thanked the Pennsylvania State Police for their work and involvement in the case, as well as Judge John H. Foradora for a sentence that matched the gravity of the offenses.

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