Robber Is Sentenced to 26 Years in Prison
A San Jacinto man arrested at a La Verne McDonald’s by deputies who mistakenly thought he was holding hostages was sentenced Wednesday to nearly 27 years in prison for a series of holdups.
Pomona Superior Court Judge Robert Gustaveson sentenced Douglas E. Girard, 32, who had two previous robbery convictions, to the maximum term.
He was convicted Monday of three counts of armed robbery, including a holdup at a Kids Mart clothing store just before the seven-hour McDonald’s “standoff” Sept. 24.
Deputies responding to that crime tracked Girard to the crowded McDonald’s but did not enter out of fear of provoking him. Dozens of officers surrounded the restaurant before arresting him as he filed out with the other customers.
Later it was determined that Girard had never threatened anybody and was trying to blend in with customers as deputies waited outside.
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