BEAUMONT — Preston Joseph Robertson of Orange was sentenced Friday to 40 years in prison for beating and robbing elderly victims in Nederland and Beaumont.

Robertson had previously pled guilty to committing several robberies of senior citizens from February through April of 2014. He targeted elderly individuals as they left businesses and followed them home.

Video surveillance showed Robertson focused on individuals who parked in handicapped parking spaces. Robertson would approach his victims as they got out of their cars, where he would beat and rob them of wallets, purses, and other valuables.  Robertson was arrested after the store videos played on Crime Stoppers.

The 40 year sentence was reached as part of a plea bargain. Prosecutor Luke Nichols, arguing for the Jefferson County Criminal District Attorney’s office, stated that Robertson is a predator who must be taken off of our streets.

“He sought out and assaulted the most vulnerable victims he could find, and he deserves to be removed from society”, Nichols stated.

Robertson faces similar charges in Orange County. These cases were investigated by officers of the Beaumont Police Department, Nederland Police Department, and Orange County Sheriff’s Department

 

Judge Raquel West in the 252^nd Criminal District Court of Jefferson County presided over the case.