A Tucson bank robber was sentenced to 180 days in jail and three years of intensive probation Thursday, said Deputy Pima County Attorney Dan Nicolini.
Ruperto C. Ortiz, 23, pleaded guilty last month to two counts of attempted armed robbery.
Ortiz and Humberto A. Tequida, 19, were arrested after two March 11 incidents involving Chase bank branches, according to authorities.
Ortiz walked into the bank at 728 W. Ajo Way armed with a handgun, Tucson police said. He gave the teller the note but left without any money when the teller turned and walked away from the counter.
He left in a vehicle that was driven by Tequida.
About an hour later, Tequida is believed to have successfully robbed the Chase bank at 2121 W. Grant Road. In that instance, Ortiz is alleged to have been the getaway driver.
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Surveillance footage from both banks showed the robber men wearing identical outfits during the holdup. They actually were sharing one outfit, police said.
Evidence linking them to the crimes was recovered at an apartment in the 800 block of East Wetmore Road where the men were staying. Also arrested was Shonda M. Parfrey, who is accused of writing the notes demanding money in each incident.
Tequida has also entered a plea agreement and is scheduled to be sentenced Sept. 17.
Parfrey’s case is pending.
Ortiz has already served 168 days of his 180-day sentence awaiting trial so he will be released from the Pima County jail shortly, Nicolini said.
Pima County Superior Court Judge Hector Campoy is presiding over all three cases.
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