Crime & Safety
Man Convicted Of Shooting At Police During Chase Gets Life Sentence
A man was sentenced to life in prison after being convicted for shooting at officers during a chase that ensued after an armed robbery.
MONTEREY COUNTY, CA — A 37-year-old man was sentenced to life in prison by a Monterey County Superior Court judge after being convicted for shooting at police officers during a chase that ensued after an armed robbery in 2024.
Armando Rodriguez Garcia was ordered to serve at least 15 years of that sentence before being considered for parole, but he was also sentenced to an additional 41 years and eight months for other charges, according to a news release from Monterey County District Attorney Jeannine Pacioni's office.
Rodriguez Garcia was convicted in May of premeditated attempted murder of a peace officer, seven counts of assault on a peace officer with a semi-automatic firearm, three counts of armed robbery, and charges of being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition.
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In June 2024, Rodriguez Garcia robbed three men on a King City pedestrian bridge at gunpoint and fled in a waiting car. Police officers from King City and Greenfield pursued the vehicle on northbound U.S. Highway 101, according to prosecutors.
The driver initially refused to stop and led officers on a high-speed chase that ended near Soledad, when the driver pulled over. Rodriguez Garcia got out of the still-moving car and shot four times at police officers who had pulled up behind it. He then took off on foot.
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He continued shooting at officers, who returned fire. The pursuit ended when he was shot by a King City police officer. He was treated at a hospital for his injuries.
The California Highway Patrol assisted the Monterey County District Attorney's Office in the investigation.
The sentence was handed down by Monterey Superior Court Judge Rafael Vazquez.
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