Man Sentenced For Grocery Advantage Armed Robbery

September 27, 2011

A Cantonment man charged with robbing the Grocery Advantage in Cantonment back in June has been sentenced to time in the county jail plus probation.

Kenneth Lee Purifoy, 45, of 1240 Lake Drive in Cantonment, was arrested  after deputies say he robbed the grocery store at knife point on June 30.

Purifoy was convicted of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, petty theft, robbery and possession of drug paraphernalia. He was sentenced to 90 days in jail with credit for 86 days served. He was also sentenced by Judge Joel Boles to three years probation, substance abuse counseling, and an anti-theft course. He’s also forbidden from getting near the Grocery Advantage store in the future.

According to an Escambia County Sheriff’s Office arrest report, Purifoy entered the store with numerous shopping bags that he placed in an empty buggy. An employee observed Purifoy enter a restroom with the items in the buggy, but they were not visible when he came out of the restroom.

Moments later, Purifoy was carrying a pack of ribs when he approached a store employee and employees noticed a pack of steaks in his rear waistband. When he was confronted, deputies said Purifoy rain toward the exit, as another pack of steaks fell from the front of his pants.

An employee told deputies that he tried to stop Purifoy and detain him and a struggle ensued.

During the struggle Purifoy pulled a small folding pocketknife on the employee and reportedly stated “I will stab you.” Purifoy then ran out of the store. He was tracked by a Sheriff’s Office K-9 unit to a nearby apartment complex where he was arrested without incident.

Comments

8 Responses to “Man Sentenced For Grocery Advantage Armed Robbery”

  1. Everett on October 2nd, 2011 1:01 am

    This was his 6th theft/burglary conviction since 1993. Quite a history according to the clerk of courts.
    He gets the light sentences because he pleads no contest to most of his previous crimes. He applies for a public defender at $40-50 per hearing for him to plead no contest. Had he gone through a complete trial by jury process and was convicted he would probably still been in jail.

    That is our justice system. :(

  2. jcellops on September 28th, 2011 2:23 pm

    ok…sounds like hell get out of jail this friday or saturday, with time served….he should probably go right from jail to lakeview to get treatment for his “habit”…at least it would keep him off the streets for a few more months…too bad the judge didnt order that….or, make him do some community service during his 3 year probation period…like, picking up garbage along the roads or mowing the firestation grass, as an example…he got off toooooo easy.

  3. Terri Sanders on September 28th, 2011 10:10 am

    Let’s remember the name of the Judge come election time!

  4. pm on September 27th, 2011 7:25 pm

    Oh – harsh punishment for a guy who pulled a knife on someone. Also, he has to stay away from Grocery Advantage. OH well, since he lives on Lake Dr. maybe when he gets out in a few days he will go to Winn Dixie. That store is closer to where he lives isn’t it? Travesty of justice and a slap in the face for the residents of the North end of Escambia County. Shame on you judge and Assistant State Attorney that thought up this brilliant plea deal. Hope this criminal gets a hard-nosed probation officer that is willing to watch him and then do their job when (and I don’t mean IF) he violates

  5. Interested on September 27th, 2011 9:22 am

    Truly pitiful. What a waste of our tax dollars to even pick him up.
    Waste of our Police and their dogs, waste of our jailers and the
    people and food to feed them, waste of our judges time.
    In this case the Dogs and Police did their job, but one of our
    Judges Let us down……

    It would be my guess it was not his first time, just the first time he
    was caught…..

    We NEED TOUGH LAWS, COPS AND JUDGES and we need
    to get rid of all the weak links.

  6. Oversight on September 27th, 2011 7:26 am

    Wow, you’ve got to joking, right?! Only 90 days?! Mark my words because we’ve all seen this revolving door justice system work – he will be back. Regrettably, the next time he’ll probably kill someone while committing the crime.

  7. Fairlane63 on September 27th, 2011 6:21 am

    90 days for armed robbery? I guess that sends a message to would-be hoodlums, but not the one that needs to be sent.

    Wonder how long it will be before this guy is back in the news…

  8. jb on September 27th, 2011 2:27 am

    90 days thats it. Our justice system needs wake up and start punishing people for there crimes. Just like the Kim Pharmacy robber a Judge let him out and then next day… you know the story. People like these dont belong on the streets.