Four co-defendants in Appomattox construction site robbery case appear for trial

Today in Appomattox County Circuit Court, four of five co-defendants who participated in a two separate robberies on Oct. 16, 2023 at the D.S. Nash Construction Company on Clover Lane in Appomattox County appeared for trial.

Three entered guilty pleas, and another pleaded not guilty, choosing instead to hold trial before Circuit Court Judge Andy Nelson with no jury.

Pleading guilty to felony charges were the following:

• James Daniel Hayes, 48, of Appomattox (breaking and entering and grand larceny over $1,000). Hayes received a one-year sentence with 19 years suspended but was given credit for time already served.
• Tracy Gayle Hendricks, 53, of Lynchburg (breaking and entering, grand larceny over $1,000, possession of a Schedule I/II drug). Hendricks is scheduled for sentencing on Feb. 13, 2025.
• Harry William Hendricks, 21, of Lynchburg (grand larceny over $1,000). Hendricks received a seven-year suspended sentence.

Following testimony by Gray Nash, co-owner of D.S. Nash Construction Company, two members of law enforcement, and himself, the fourth co-defendant, Keane David Rioseco, 39, of Evington, was found guilty on two counts of breaking and entering and two counts of grand larceny over $1,000. Rioseco is scheduled to be sentenced on Feb. 13, 2025.

The identified ringleader of the robbery, Jamie Christopher Patricia, 34, of Appomattox, was sentenced to three years of incarceration on Aug. 8 after pleading guilty to one count of breaking and entering and felony count of conspiracy to aid or abet larceny over $1,000. Patricia was not present during the robberies but organized the crime, allegedly claiming to co-defendants that they had permission from the owner to enter the property and take the items from a building to resell for scrap.

Nash testified today that he never gave anyone permission to take the items or enter the property.

Hayes and both of the Hendricks defendants apologized to Nash today in court.

According to court testimony, over $18,000 in construction equipment and materials were stolen. Most of the stolen goods were recovered.

Find out more in the upcoming Nov. 6 issue of the Times Virginian newspaper. Pick up a copy or subscribe at www.timesvirginian.com/subscriber_services to view the full article in the e-edition version.