PORT ANGELES — A Port Angeles man has been sentenced to almost six years in prison after being convicted of robbery, according to a press release from the Clallam County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office.
Derek Dunaway, 21, was convicted of one count of second-degree robbery during a two-day trial in October and was sentenced Dec. 5 in Clallam County Superior Court to 70 months in the Washington Corrections Center in Shelton, followed by 18 months of state Department of Corrections supervision, the release said.
The case began on Christmas morning of 2021 when Dunaway went into Saar’s Market and stole more than $200 worth of cigarettes, then violently fought with an employee who managed to keep him from fleeing the scene in his car, the release said.
While the two were fighting, Dunaway pressed on the employee’s eye in such a way that made the employee concerned about eye damage, according to the release. The employee eventually pinned Dunaway in the parking lot and kept him there until Port Angeles Police Officer Nathan Swanson and Kyle Cooper arrived, the release said.
While awaiting trial, Dunaway posted bail and fled to Yakima County, where he had been convicted of felony forgery and identity theft crimes, according to media reports.
Dunaway has 12 adult felony convictions and one juvenile felony conviction, the press release said, adding that he also was under state Department of Corrections supervision at the time.
“Dunaway showed a clear disregard for the law and this court’s orders both during and after the robbery,” said Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Steve Johnson, who recommended a 72-month sentence.
“Shoplifters who use force to retain their property create a very dangerous situation for victims and themselves. Dunaway was lucky that no one was seriously hurt as a result of his actions,” he said.
________
Reporter Brian Gawley can be reached at brian.gawley@peninsula dailynews.com.
