Commonwealth's Attorney

A Newport News jury convicted a 22-year-old Hampton man on May 21, 2024, of robbing a convenience store clerk in the summer of 2023. The jury convicted Isaiah Nowell of robbery and the use of a firearm in the commission of that robbery.

The jury found that on June 21, 2023, Nowell was the man who walked in to the Newport News Mart on Chestnut Avenue with a hooded sweatshirt on and the hood up and COVID style mask pulled down. Nowell put the mask up and brought a drink to the counter as if he intended to buy it. He also selected some chips and asked the clerk about some cigarette products. When the clerk’s back was turned, Nowell entered a doorway at the end of the counter and pulled out a gun.

Nowell could be heard on surveillance tape demanding money and threatening to shoot the clerk in the face while pointing what appeared to be a gun at the clerk’s face. The clerk, holding up his hands, allowed Nowell to take money sitting under the counter and from a register drawer on the counter.

When a car pulled up outside the store, Nowell walked over to the door and told the customer to leave because “I’m trying to get money”. Nowell then returned to the clerk and again demanded the rest of the money, shouting at the clerk to hurry up and “Hand me the rest of it before I shoot you in your face”. He also took the clerk’s phone from the counter before walking away from the store. Nowell made off with about $4,000 in cash.

Nowell will be sentenced on August 23, 2024 by Judge Gary Mills.