Teen pleads guilty to robbery, shooting at police during chase
One of two men charged with robbing two convenience stores in April and then shooting at police during a high-speed chase on valley streets and freeways pleaded guilty Thursday.
As part of the deal, prosecutors dropped some 10 felony charges against Kyle Knights, 18, who told District Judge James Bixler he was guilty of armed robbery, conspiracy and failure to stop when required by police. Knights agreed to a stipulated prison term of six to 20 years.
Knights and Richard Anthony Sanchez, 19, were arrested about 2 a.m. April 27 after officers performed a maneuver to spin and stall their truck on U.S. Highway 95 near Eastern Avenue. The defendants suffered minor injuries and were treated at a local hospital.
Authorities said that Knights was driving and that Sanchez, the passenger, fired about eight shots at pursuing officers. None of the officers was injured. Prosecutor Roy Nelson said Sanchez is expected to plead guilty at a hearing set for next week.
Authorities said the two men robbed the Rebel convenience store at 4220 E. Sahara Ave. and the Green Valley Grocery store at 5785 E. Charleston Blvd. before the chase.
Both are being held on $500,000 bail at the Clark County Detention Center.
Sanchez's criminal history includes arrests on allegations of assault, attempted murder and drug trafficking.
Knights faces a battery with a deadly weapon charge in a separate case.
Contact reporter Francis McCabe at fmccabe@reviewjournal.com or 702-380-1039.
