Shelby man sent to jail for knifepoint robbery.

Javier Borrego with his attorney, Julie Springstead Waltz.

Shelby man sent to jail for knifepoint robbery.

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By Allison Scarbrough. Editor.

HART — A 31-year-old Shelby man was sentenced in 27th Circuit Court Monday, Jan. 30, to serve one year in jail for a conviction of unarmed robbery.

Javier Borrego, of 354 Pine St., initially faced up to life in prison for holding a knife to the victim’s throat during the robbery.

His older brother, 39-year-old Oscar Borrego, of 186 Pine St., received the same sentence earlier this month for his involvement in the crime.

The armed robbery charge was dismissed in both cases when the brothers pleaded to the lesser charge.

Oscar Borrego was the driver during the robbery, and Javier Borrego, wielded the knife.

Javier Borrego, who asked Judge Anthony A. Monton for work release, said, “I would like to take this opportunity to apologize for what I’ve done… I take full responsibility for my actions.”

“I really can’t do it,” Monton said of Borrego’s request for work release. “You’re lucky you’re not in prison.”

Monton gave Javier Borrego credit for 98 days served in jail. The judge also ordered that he pay $1,522 in restitution for extradition expenses. He fled to Idaho when the investigation was underway, said Oceana County Sheriff Craig Mast. A transport company brought Javier Borrego back to Michigan where he was arrested last November on a warrant issued by the Oceana County Sheriff’s Office.

Oscar Borrego was arrested by sheriff’s deputies last August.

Oscar Borrego drove the victim to Wilson’s General Store in Mears to cash a check, Oceana County Prosecutor Joseph Bizon said. After the victim cashed the check, Oscar Borrego drove to the “back roads” in Hart Township “in the middle of nowhere,” Bizon said.

Javier Borrego was in the back seat and put his arm around the victim’s neck from behind and held a knife to his throat, Bizon said. The brothers stole the victim’s cell phone and some cash, he said. The victim received “a slight laceration under his chin on his neck,” Mast said.

Javier Borrego has been lodged in the Oceana County Jail on a $50,000/cash/surety bond, awaiting sentencing.

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