George R. Blackwell just couldn’t keep himself out of trouble. And now, he’ll have plenty of time to think about the crimes he has committed throughout his life.
Blackwell, 60, of Levittown, was sentenced earlier this week by Bucks County Judge Diane E. Gibbons to life without parole after a jury found him guilty of felony robbery, receiving stolen property, possessing an instrument of crime and simple assault.
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The harsh sentence was due to the fact the late January robbery of a woman outside a Bristol Township grocery story was his third strike, according to Assistant District Attorney Robert James.
“As a result of having at least two prior convictions for violent felonies, I gave notice of intent to have the mandatory third strike invoked by Judge Diane E. Gibbons. Third strike mandatory requires the judge to sentence defendant anywhere from 25 years to life in prison without parole,” James said.
Blackwell robbed the woman as she opened her car door in the parking lot of the Fairless Hills Credit Union on Oxford Valley Road on a sunny day in late January. Blackwell tried to run after the robbery when several witnesses intervened and brought him to the ground, according to court documents.
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Blackwell has previously been convicted of rape, robbery, aggravated assault and theft. In addition, he has two burglary and three escape convictions already under his belt, James said. State records show he is registered sex offender in connection to the rape conviction.
Blackwell’s arrest made headlines throughout the region after video of his capture was posted to YouTube by local videographer Ron Roberts.
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