Wilmington man sentenced for 2015 McDonald's armed robbery

A Wilmington man was sentenced to a minimum of 44 months in prison after pleading guilty to the 2015 armed robbery of a McDonald’s, according to a news release from the District Attorney.

Leroy Johnson, 38, was convicted in the New Hanover County Criminal Superior Court Wednesday on one count of robbery with a dangerous weapon and one count of conspiracy to commit robbery with a dangerous weapon.

According to the release, on Oct. 17, 2015, Johnson and two co-conspirators entered the back door of the McDonald’s, located at the corner of Eastwood and Military Cutoff roads. They entered after closing with the assistance of an employee who left the delivery door ajar.

Richard McLaughlin, one of the co-conspirators, was found guilty by a New Hanover County jury on Oct. 7, 2022 and was sentenced to serve a minimum of 18 years in prison.

According to the release, Johnson brandished a firearm against an employee then chased the victim out of the restaurant while McLaughlin emptied the safe.

Authorities were able to track down the suspects after the victim chased the getaway vehicle and was able to relay its license plate number to emergency communications.

“Sgt. Schwarz with the Wilmington Police Department located this vehicle within 15 minutes and detained the driver who identified the perpetrators,” the release states.

Johnson will serve between 44 and 65 months in prison and will be required to pay restitution in the amount of $4,159.68.

Reporter John Orona can be reached at 910-343-2327 or jorona@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on Wilmington StarNews: Wilmington man sentenced in 2015 McDonald's armed robbery