A 31-year-old man who was shot by police as he threatened them and a family with an assault rifle during a crime spree has been sentenced to 45 years in prison.
On Friday, Arapahoe District Judge Kurt Horton sentenced Keith Alfonzo Roberts, 31, for a long list of violent offenses including first-degree assault against Denver police officers and six counts of menacing against a family and three officers.
A jury had found Roberts guilty Jan. 31 of 19 charges that also included reckless driving and three counts of weapon possession by a convict, Vikki Migoya, spokeswoman for District Attorney George Brauchler, wrote in a Tuesday news release.
“The defense claimed the police used excessive force in this case, but the jury resoundingly rejected that idea with their verdicts,” prosecutor Kristin Tuttle said. “The jury’s verdict and the courtap sentence will thankfully prevent the defendant from endangering our community any further.”
Shortly after noon on June 18, Roberts was in a silver Chevrolet Impala when pointed a gun at a family near the intersection of East Elmendorf Place and North Tulsa Way. Denver police soon spotted the car. As three patrol cars chased the Impala, Roberts pointed a rifle at them.
A police officer pinned Roberts with his patrol car after the suspect drove into an apartment complex at East Alameda Avenue and East Ohio Avenue. Two officers fired at Roberts, who had a rifle in his lap. Police found a spent shell casing in the passenger seat and another loaded gun in the car, Migoya’s news release says.
“The reality is that this case shows the incredible bravery of our police officers and the risks they take every day to protect our community,” Tuttle said.
Yet another felon was able to get his hands on yet more firearms, this time, an assault rifle and handgun, Brauchler said in the news release.
“This felon threatened police and an innocent family,” he said. “We will not tolerate those who should not have guns using them to commit crimes in our community. Prison is where such criminals belong.”
