Jail time ordered for bar bandits

By Jamie North
The Daily Item

January 04, 2008 01:57 pm

— DANVILLE — One of two Valley women who tried to rob the Texas Two Step bar last summer with a tire iron will serve at least 21 months in state prison.
The other woman, who drove the get-away car, will serve time in county jail for her role in the attempted robbery.
Kristen N. Levy, 24 of White Deer, was sentenced Thursday to 21 months to five years in state prison by Columbia-Montour President Judge Scott W. Naus for entering the Anthony Township bar on July 28 and demanding the bartender to give her money.
Ms. Levy, who was wearing a black bandanna around her mouth, threatened the bartender with a tire iron.
Kendra L. Day, 21, of Watsontown, was sentenced to 11 ½ months to 23 months in county jail with two years of probation by Judge Naus on charges of criminal conspiracy to commit robbery.
Ms. Day remained outside waiting in her Volkswagen Jetta while Ms. Levy entered the bar.
Both women were given 150 days credit for time served in jail since their arrest.
According to state police at Milton, the two women initially intended to rob the D.G. Shopping Center in Washingtonville before seeing that no cars were parked at the Texas Two Step, which prompted them to stop at the bar instead.
The case was broken in August when authorities received a tip from someone who knew Ms. Day owned a silver Volkswagen and was friends with Ms. Levy, according to state police.
“I now know I made a big mistake and hurt a lot of people, especially my family,” said Ms. Day, indicating she wanted to seek counseling to deal with the effects of past abusive relationships. “I’m ready to be held accountable. I just want to get home to my daughter (3 years old).”
Ms. Levy also expressed remorse, while citing a need to get over her psychological problems.
“I understand the actions I took were wrong,” Ms. Levy said. “I have to find different methods to treat my problems. I’ve come a long way from heroin (addiction), but alcohol is not the answer.”
Judge Naus supported the women’s intent to undergo counseling but warned they will need more than just therapy to be successful in their recoveries.
“If you’re going to rely on counseling, then you’ve lost,” Judge Naus said. “Counseling is a valuable tool but not a panacea. In the end, it’s your decision to succumb to temptation or not.”
E-mail comments to jnorth@dailyitem.com.