Man accused of robbing Brinks truck denies plea deal

ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. — An Orange County man investigators said confessed to a Brinks truck robbery has decided to go to trial rather than take a plea deal.
 
Deputies said Charles Chukes grabbed a bag of cash while the Brinks officer was trying to load an ATM on Chickasaw Trail.
 
State prosecutors offered Chukes a plea deal in the case involving the robbery of $160,000. He was asked to plead guilty, spend 10 years in jail and pay back the $52,000 still missing.
 
In surveillance video of the robbery, police said Chukes is seen grabbing the bag and running while the security guard fires at him.
 
Deputies arrested Chukes walking near the scene after the car he was believed to be in crashed.
 
Three women, including his grandmother, are believed to have helped Chukes hide the money and have also been arrested.
 
Investigators said Chukes confessed that he saw the bag on the ground and took it.
 
"He either thinks he has an ace up his sleeve or is going against the advice of his counsel in rejecting this deal," WFTV legal analyst Bill Sheaffer said.
 
If convicted, Chukes faces 50 years in prison. His trial is set for May.  

Cox Media Group