By admin 
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.
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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.
Court documents said the woman had a cut on her eyelid and that she feared he was going to hurt her.
“He told me not to move… I was scared… He was gonna stab me,” she told Glendale police.
Investigators used video surveillance, license plate reader data and phone records to identify Lara as a suspect. During a search warrant following his arrest, detectives found clothing he had been wearing during the robbery.
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Lara was initially indicted for armed robbery, aggravated assault and kidnapping. As part of a deal with prosecutors, he pleaded guilty to kidnapping in April and the other two charges were dropped. He was sentenced to prison last week.
“Crimes like this go far beyond theft. They involve violence, fear, and control. The defendant’s violent actions and threats caused unimaginable fear and trauma,” Maricopa County Attorney Rachel Mitchell said. “This 19-year prison sentence holds him accountable for the harm he caused. We also commend the courage and resilience the victim showed throughout this case.”
Records show Lara had previous convictions for crimes including theft, armed robbery and abuse. He was on community supervision at the time of the robbery in Glendale.
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