Jury Convicts Man of Theft, Resisting Arrest, Being Felon in Possession of Firearm After He Threatened Norfolk 7-Eleven Clerks in 2023

NORFOLK, Va. – A jury convicted Robert Eugene Henderson, 59, on Tuesday of misdemeanor petit larceny and resisting arrest as well as being a felon in possession of a firearm following an incident last year in which Mr. Henderson stole from a 7-Eleven and threatened one of the employees.

On Nov. 25, Mr. Henderson stole beer from the 7-Eleven at 1618 E. Indian River Road and walked out of the store. Minutes later, Mr. Henderson entered the store again, and two clerks who witnessed him steal the drinks confronted him about the theft. In response, Mr. Henderson threatened one of the clerks by saying he would shoot up her vehicle. Mr. Henderson left the store again, and the clerks contacted Norfolk Police. Responding officers watched security footage of the incident and canvassed the area to locate Mr. Henderson. When an officer encountered Mr. Henderson on nearby Wilson Road, Mr. Henderson ran away and hid behind a vehicle parked on the street. The officer was able to catch up to Mr. Henderson, but Mr. Henderson refused to comply with the officer’s orders, resisted arrest, and wrestled with the officer until backup officers were able to assist.

After detaining Mr. Henderson, officers searched him and found bullets in his pocket. They then retraced Mr. Henderson’s steps and located a firearm underneath the vehicle Mr. Henderson had hidden behind. The firearm was loaded with ammunition matching the bullets found in Mr. Henderson’s pocket. Mr. Henderson has a lengthy criminal history including felony convictions and is prohibited from possessing a firearm or ammunition.

Mr. Henderson was charged with petit larceny, resisting arrest, and being a felon in possession of a firearm, he pleaded not guilty to his charges, and he opted to be tried by a jury. On Tuesday, after two hours of deliberation, the jury found Mr. Henderson guilty of his charges. Mr. Henderson is set for sentencing before Judge Joseph C. Lindsey on Sept. 19.

“Cooperative witnesses, surveillance footage, and effective and brave police work led to Mr. Henderson’s quick arrest and ultimately his conviction,” said Commonwealth’s Attorney Ramin Fatehi. “When everyone works together, we are able to put on an effective case to a jury to help hold people accountable for their crimes.”

Assistant Commonwealth’s Attorney Anthony J. Balady is prosecuting Mr. Henderson’s case on behalf of the Commonwealth, and Norfolk Police Officer Daniel J. Lafferty led the investigation.

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