ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE) – An Albuquerque man will spend a decade behind bars after admitting to a violent crime spree that came to an end when he was shot by police in a McDonald’s parking lot. The incident happened last December, when the Albuquerque Police Department said 32-year-old Roberto Perez and 35-year-old Joshua Garcia stole a car. According to investigators, they robbed a Circle K at gunpoint, followed by a Verizon store shortly after.
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Police tracked the suspects to an AutoZone near Carlisle Blvd. and Claremont Ave. and moved in for an arrest. Garcia was taken in after a short chase, but bodycam video showed Perez fleeing and aiming a firearm at police. During the pursuit, an officer shot him in the back and in the hand.
At the time, APD Chief Harold Medina defended the officer’s decision. “I don’t think they would have had the opportunity to launch less lethal, if you look at how quickly this unfolded and the number of orders that they gave to this individual,” said Chief Medina.
In September, Perez pleaded guilty to four counts of armed robbery, aggravated assault, and stealing the vehicle. Tuesday morning, Judge Britt Baca sentenced him to 10 years in prison, which is the maximum time allowed by his plea deal. Perez’s co-conspirator, Joshua Garcia, remains in custody awaiting trial…