A man who donned women’s thong underwear over his head to pull off a gas station robbery has pleaded guilty.
Joseph Espinoza, 24, one of the two men nicknamed the “thong bandits,” pleaded guilty Monday in Jefferson County to the May 16 robbery of a Diamond Shamrock at 6802 Wadsworth Blvd. in Arvada.
He wore a blue thong over his lower face in the robbery.
Joaquin Rico, 19, is suspected of being Espinoza’s partner in the thong-cloaked caper.
Rico is being held at the Jefferson County Jail on $100,000 bond, according to court records.
He faces charges of kidnapping, assault and using a weapon during a violent crime, among other charges.
Espinoza’s sentencing has been scheduled for Nov. 19.
Rico’s next scheduled court date is Oct. 6.
Kieran Nicholson: 303-954-1822 or knicholson@denverpost.com.
