2 Dayton men indicted for string of convenience store robberies

A federal grand jury has indicted two men on charges connected to a string of robberies in Dayton and Kettering dating back to December.

Kavonte Knolton, 21, and Jamaal Murphy, 19, were arrested yesterday by Dayton Police and agents with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.

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Murphy is accused of robbing the Wyoming Street Mini-Mart in December. Knolton is accused of robbing the UDF on Woodman Drive twice, Jan. 25 and Feb. 14. Both men are accused of robbing the Circle K on Dorothy Lane on Feb. 22 and the Wyoming Street Mini-Mart again on Mar. 5.

Investigators said both are accused of using, carrying or showing guns in each robbery.

The grand jury indicted the men for violating the Hobbs Act, which is a federal law that punishes people who commit crimes involving businesses that operate in interstate commerce.

Under the indictment, Knolton and Murphy face one count of conspiracy and five counts of violating the Hobbs Act. Prosecutors said each count is punishable by up to 20 years in prison. They also face five counts of using, carrying or showing a firearm during a violent crime.

“Each of those counts is punishable by a mandatory term of seven years in prison, which must be served consecutive to any sentence for the robberies,” prosecutors said.

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