SALINAS >> Armando Rodriguez Garcia, 37, was sentenced Thursday to 15 years to life in prison plus an additional term of nearly 42 years for the attempted murder of a peace officer and other charges.

Garcia was convicted by a jury in May for the “willful, deliberate and premeditated” attempted murder of a peace officer, according to a news release from District Attorney Jeannine Pacioni’s office. The conviction also included seven counts of assault on a peace officer with a semiautomatic firearm, three counts of armed robbery, being a felon in possession of a firearm and being a felon in possession of ammunition. Garcia was also found to have personally discharged a firearm during these offenses.

On June 4, 2024, the DA’s office said Garcia committed armed robbery against three men who were walking over a bridge in King City. Garcia pointed his semiautomatic firearm at the men and demanded they hand over their phones and wallets. After they complied, Garcia got into the passenger seat of a black Mazda which was being driven by his female friend. The three victims ran back to their residence and reported the robbery.

Garcia and the friend drove around for about an hour and a half before they got on Highway 101 heading northbound. A Greenfield Police Officer spotted the car around 7:15 p.m. Units from Greenfield Police Department and King City Police Department joined the pursuit and initiated a traffic stop with lights and sirens.

The Mazda failed to stop and led police on a pursuit for about 8 miles while driving at speeds running from 55 to 72 miles per hour. The car slowed and pulled to the shoulder of the highway near Soledad. As the car was stopping, Garcia stepped out of the vehicle and opened fire on officers with a .40-caliber semiautomatic firearm.

All patrol vehicles stopped directly behind the Mazda and all officers were within 50 feet of Garcia when he shot at them. Garcia fired four shots at the lead officer and the six Greenfield and King City officers present on the scene. Two King City officers returned fire.

Garcia then ran northbound on Highway 101 heading toward a Soledad shopping center while continuing to shoot behind him in the direction of the officers. Garcia was ultimately struck by gunfire and fell to the ground.

He was transported to Natividad Medical Center and treated for his injury. Garcia’s firearm was recovered at the scene with three rounds in the magazine and one in the chamber. A prior felony burglary conviction prohibited Garcia from possessing firearms and ammunition.