PERRY -- An armed robber who was shot after shooting a Warner Robins man outside of his home in 2011 was sentenced Wednesday to 15 years in prison.

Albert Lewis McElrath of Macon was sentenced by Superior Court Judge Edward D. Lukemire after pleading guilty to armed robbery, said Daniel P. Bibler, deputy chief assistant district attorney for Houston County.

Lukemire also sentenced McElrath to five years probation upon completion of his prison term.

Other charges against McElrath of aggravated assault, aggravated battery and possession of a firearm were dismissed as part of the plea agreement

On Oct. 6, 2011, convenience store owner Ramesh Patel was confronted at 2:54 a.m. by a man, later identified by police as McElrath, outside his home at 101 Rolling Woods Circle near Corder Road.

McElrath, who had followed Patel home from the store, shot him in the knee as he was robbing him and then fled on foot,

Meanwhile, 28-year-old Paresh Patel heard his father’s cries for help, ran out of the home and shot the suspect as he was fleeing.

Bibler noted that armed robberies pose a danger to everybody involved and that the district attorney’s office will continue to aggressively prosecute the crimes.

Houston County Public Defender Nick White, who represented McElrath, said he thought the plea and sentence was fair.

“He was accepting responsibility for a stupid act,” White said. He noted that the victim could have been seriously wounded and died.

To contact writer Becky Purser, call 256-9559.