SC man gets 18 years in lawnmower getaway robbery

AIKEN, S.C. (AP) — An Aiken man has been sentenced to 18 years in prison for robbing a convenience store, assaulting an employee with a tree limb and fleeing on a lawn mower.

The Aiken Standard reported Thursday that 46-year-old Rickey New was found guilty by a jury on charges of armed robbery and assault and battery.

Authorities said New robbed the Kent’s Korner store of about $300 and hit an employee with a tree limb that he carried into the store after he demanded money. New was found about a mile away from the store.

___

Information from: Aiken Standard, http://www.aikenstandard.com