Cass County, ND (trfnews.i234.me) — A Fargo man has been sentenced to eight years in federal prison for a violent gas station robbery that occurred in March 2024.
On April 15, 2025, Chief U.S. District Judge Peter Welte sentenced 34-year-old Lucas Tavares to eight years in federal prison, followed by three years of supervised release, for committing a Hobbs Act robbery. Tavares was also ordered to pay a $100 special assessment fee.
The incident took place on March 5, 2024, at the Loaf ‘N Jug located at 1201 N. University Ave in Fargo. According to court documents, Tavares entered the store around 4 a.m. and held a knife to the clerk’s neck and stomach, demanding two cartons of cigars and access to the store’s safe. The clerk complied, handing over approximately $446 in cash and merchandise.
Fargo Police Department detectives quickly identified Tavares as the suspect and arrested him later that same day. A federal grand jury indicted him on one count of Hobbs Act robbery, and he pleaded guilty on January 13, 2025.
The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Richard Lee.
I’m Chris Harper, and I’m reporting for TRF News.
Did you know? Facts:
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The Hobbs Act, enacted in 1946, criminalizes robbery or extortion that affects interstate or foreign commerce.
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Federal charges under the Hobbs Act often result in more severe penalties compared to state-level robbery charges.
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The swift identification and arrest of Tavares highlight the effectiveness of collaboration between local law enforcement and federal agencies.