Cape man sentenced to prison for 2016 crime spree
A man charged with multiple felonies following a drug-fueled crime spree last year has been sentenced to more than seven years in prison.
Brian Hernandez-Vargas, 40, was sentenced to 91.5 months followed by 60 months of probation for crimes that occurred over a 16-day period in Cape Coral in 2016.
Hernandez-Vargas first burglarized a friend’s home and stole family heirlooms.
He then robbed the same grocery store in Cape Coral twice in the span of just 48 hours. Both of the robberies were committed by rushing two separate female associates at the cash register and taking money. In both attacks, the cashiers, including one who was over 65, sustained injuries trying to fend him off. The women were not seriously injured, officials said.
He then burglarized the home of another acquaintance.
Hernandez-Vargas pleaded open to the court on charges of Robbery by Sudden Snatching, Robbery with a Weapon, Battery on a Person 65 or Older, Resisting an Officer Without Violence, two counts of Burglary of a Dwelling, and two counts of Grand Theft. In lieu of a trial, the law allows for a defendant to enter a plea to the court and be sentenced by the judge.
Assistant State Attorney Joshua Fredrickson handled the cases.
Source: Office of the State Attorney, 20th Judicial Circuit