Violent robber who killed store clerk’s dog sentenced to 70 years in prison
FORT WORTH, Texas - A Tarrant County man will spend most of his life in prison after pleading guilty to a string of armed robberies and killing a store clerk’s dog during one of those robberies.
According to the Tarrant County District Attorney’s Office, 20-year-old Donavin Copeland was recently sentenced to 70 years in prison for six counts of aggravated robbery and animal cruelty.
(Courtesy: Fort Worth Police)
He was arrested in 2023 after Fort Worth police shared video from one of the violent robberies.
In the clip from January 2, 2023, the gunman can be seen shooting and killing a small dog named Peanut before holding a store clerk at gunpoint.
Police said the gunman demanded cash and took the victim’s vehicle.
Man accused of shooting dog during robbery in Fort Worth accused of several other armed robberies
Fort Worth police said the man wanted for shooting and killing a dog during the robbery of a convenience store earlier this month is responsible for a string of armed robberies.
It was the same story for several other robberies, all within a mile of each other.
Prosecutors said it was common for Copeland to shoot at the store clerks, rob them, and steal their cars. In one case, he also pistol-whipped the victim.
Tips from the public helped Fort Worth police identify and arrest Copeland.
Fort Worth police credit the public with helping them ID, find serial armed robbery suspect
Fort Worth police said several tips came in last week identifying 18-year-old Donovin Copeland as the man suspected of several armed robberies, and even more came in revealing where he might be staying.
"He is one of the most dangerous and violent young men I’ve come across and I have been in robbery for 12 years," Fort Worth PD Det. Brian Raynsford told FOX 4 shortly after the arrest.
The DA’s office said investigators from Fort Worth, Saginaw, and White Settlement all worked together on the case to help keep the community safe.