PHOENIX (AZFamily) — A repeat offender is set to spend nearly two decades behind bars in connection with a violent armed robbery at a store in Glendale last year.
Gilbert Lara, 53, was sentenced to 19 years in prison after previously pleading guilty to one count of felony kidnapping, the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office announced on Monday.
Around 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 7, 2025, prosecutors said Lara walked into a Cricket Wireless store near 67th Avenue and Camelback Road, pulled out a knife and demanded cash from the register. The employee, who was working alone at the time, gave the man money before he demanded she open the safe at the back of the store.
But when she wasn’t able to get the safe open, Lara reportedly became frustrated and hit her in the face, then pushed her to the ground. He told her to stay in the office while he left…