A Windsor man has received a 64-year prison sentence — enhanced by a habitual criminal ruling — for a string of fast food restaurant robberies.
After being “found to meet the criteria of habitual criminal,” Gregory Rivas, 45, was sentenced Tuesday, according to a Weld County District Attorney’s Office press release.
On June 16 Rivas was convicted by a Weld County jury of 11 criminal counts relating to a string of Greeley fast food restaurant robberies committed in 2008, prosecutors said.
Rivas was convicted of:
four counts of aggravated robbery
two counts of attempted aggravated robbery
one count of at-risk robbery
three counts of theft – under $500
one count of theft – $500 to $1,000
A piece of clothing lead to Rivas’ arrest in the case.
On May 22, 2008, Greeley Police were called to a disturbance and encountered Rivas, who was wearing a bandana that matched the description of a bandana worn by a man who robbed several local restaurants, the release said. A week later, Rivas was arrested as a suspect in the robberies.
On June 22, after the 11-count conviction on the robberies, prosecutors successfully argued that Rivas met the criteria — at least three prior felony convictions — of being a habitual criminal.
Once labeled “habitual criminal,” Rivas faced an extended sentence according to the law.
Also convicted in the robberies was Gust Nystrom, 45, of Lucern. Nystrom pleaded guilty to one count of attempted aggravated robbery on Nov. 4, 2008, and was sentenced to 5 years in the Colorado Department of Corrections.
Kieran Nicholson: 303-954-1822 or knicholson@denverpost.com.
