A 43-year-old man who robbed a Minden gas station with a paper bag over his head and wielding a chisel was sentenced Monday to probation and ordered to stay on his medication.
Christopher Hamilton apologized for the June 27, 2008, incident at the Minden AM-PM mini-market.
He claimed the robbery occurred while he was in a manic state.
"I'm very sorry about this," Hamilton said. "It's not who I am."
Hamilton told District Judge Michael Gibbons he was arrested in Los Angeles and "thrown out" of a hospital without treatment a few days before the Minden robbery.
According to reports, a man entered the convenience store at 2:13 a.m. June 27, demanding money and carrying an edged weapon that turned out to be a chisel.
Witnesses said he was wearing a loose paper bag to conceal his identity, but the bag was torn, allowing witnesses to identify the suspect.
He fled with a small amount of money, but was detained after a traffic stop by a deputy who recognized the vehicle. Deputies recovered the stolen money and other evidence.
Hamilton's lawyer, Derrick Lopez, said a family member suggested his client get arrested so he could get help for his mental problems.
"Everybody had to take it seriously," Gibbons said. "It could have been a violent reaction. Nobody knew what you were going to do."
According to court files, Hamilton suffered a brain injury in a surfing accident when he was 14. The injury went misdiagnosed and mistreated for 25 years.
Lopez said Hamilton spent 104 days in Douglas County Jail after his arrest, refusing his family's efforts to bail him out until he felt stable. Upon his release, he immediately went into residential treatment.
"He knows it's a daily battle," Lopez said.
Hamilton, who lived in Mammoth Lakes, at the time of the robbery, now lives in Reno and works for his brother.
Gibbons sentenced him to five years in Nevada State Prison, suspended, and placed him on four years probation.
He must participate in Reno's mental health court, take all prescribed medications and follow his treatment plan.
He is forbidden to use alcohol or controlled substances unless prescribed.
Hamilton is to send an apology to the victim and perform 40 hours of community service.
"Good luck," Gibbons said. "I doubt I'll see you back here. Make sure you're taking your medications."
