INDIANAPOLIS — Two people were sentenced to federal prison for a series of eight armed robberies of Indianapolis businesses in 2021.
Tyrell Cage, 29, and Jayla Deane, 36, both of Indianapolis, committed the robberies between April 25 and May 27, 2021.
Cage was sentenced to 40 years after pleading guilty to eight counts of interference with commerce by robbery, four counts of brandishing a firearm and one count of unlawful possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. He was also ordered to pay $2,668 in restitution and serve three years probation following his release.
Deane was sentenced to 10 years after pleading guilty to two counts of interference with commerce by robbery and one count of brandishing a firearm. She was ordered to pay $1,030 in restitution and also serve three years probation following her release.
Court documents show the two robbed various gas stations, restaurants and stores across the Indy area:
- April 25, 2021 — BP Gas Station on Georgetown Road, McDonald's on East 10th Street
- May 19, 2021 — Little Caesar's Pizza on Georgetown Road, Metro by T-Mobile store on East 10th Street
- May 20, 2021 — Piezano's Pizza on Georgetown Road
- May 23, 2021 — Valero Gas Station on Mass Ave, Five Below on West 86th Street
- May 27, 2021 — Lion's Den on Georgetown Road.
According to court documents, Cage pointed a black handgun at employees and demanded they give him money during each of the robberies. On multiple occasions, Cage threatened to shoot the employees if they did not comply with his demands.
During the April 25 robbery at the East 10th Street McDonald's, Cage fired three shots at an employee after he was told that only managers can open the register.
When Cage robbed Piezano's Pizza on May 20, he forced an employee on the ground and duct taped their hands together after they'd given him the money.
On May 23, Cage attempted to rob a Valero gas station on Mass Ave of fried chicken and a pack of cigarettes, according to court documents. When an employee at the Valero saw Cage's gun, they went to reach for the fried chicken. That's when Cage shot the employee in the stomach, critically wounding them. He then fled the gas station and robbed Five Below on 86th Street later that day.
Court documents say that during two of the robberies, Deane would serve as a decoy and distract employees while Cage flashed his gun and demanded money.
On June 1, 2021, IMPD officers were granted a search and arrest warrant for Cage and Deane. Police arrived at the InTown Suites Hotel on West 85th Street, where the two were staying, and found clothes, shoes, hats and jewelry worn by the pair during their robberies. Officers also recovered a phone that was taken from the Metro by T-Mobile store on East 10th Street on May 19. Police found coloring books and pencils that were reported stolen from the Five Below on West 86th Street.
A Taurus G2 9mm semiautomatic handgun, the same one used during the robberies, was also found during the search.
“These defendants engaged in an armed spree of violence and intimidation, critically wounding an innocent person and terrorizing many more,” said Zachary A. Myers, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Indiana. “The lengthy federal prison sentences imposed here demonstrate that these grave offenses carry grave consequences. I commend IMPD, the FBI, and our federal prosecutors for their work to hold these violent criminals accountable and make our communities safer.”
