Troy Man Sentenced Under New State Law for Violent Criminals

A Troy man convicted of seven counts stemming from an armed robbery at Alibi restaurant in Troy was sentenced on Thursday under a new state standard for violent criminals.

James Rutherford Mell, 38, received 25-60 years under the new Michigan Violent Offense Fourth Felony law. The law, known as VO-4, allowed Mells to be sentenced under this with a minimum of 25 years based on his previous criminal history, following a guilty verdict from Oakland County Chief Circuit Judge Nanci Grant.

Mells also received 2-15 years apiece for six counts of financial transaction device crimes.

Police said that on the afternoon of Jan. 9, Mells held up a customer as she left the restaurant with a takeout order, using what was believed to be a stainless steel handgun to make her give him her purse. When she did, police said, Mells fled the scene in a sports utility vehicle.

Mells was arrested on Jan. 16 after police followed his Dodge Nitro SUV to a local party store from a home in Troy which was near the scene of the crime. Mell was also found to be intoxicated and later registered a .30 percent blood alcohol content.