Jose Luis Pizarro, 33, of Greeley, was sentenced to eight years in prison for robbing a 91-year-old Westminster man in his driveway.
On November 11, 2011 Pizarro and his getaway driver, Jill Erickson, 41, of Arvada, followed the 91-year-old man and his wife home from the grocery store at 120th and Sheridan. The man had just gotten out of his car, carrying groceries, when he was tackled and robbed as he went to assist his wife on the other side of the car.
Pizarro got away with over $400 in cash, the man’s credit card, driver’s license, and social security card.
“This case is a good example of why we created an Elder Abuse Unit,” says District Attorney Scott Storey. “Our older adults are incredibly valuable, but also incredibly vulnerable. We must take the aggressive steps necessary to protect them and hold those who victimize them accountable.”
This case drew a great deal of attention because the 91-year-old victim, who has asked to have his privacy protected, is a war veteran and the robbery took place on Veteran’s Day.
Pizarro pled guilty to Robbery of an at-risk adult, F3, on April 16. He was sentenced on May 14. Erickson pled guilty to possession of Methamphetamine, F4, on May 14. She was sentenced immediately to three years probation and was ordered to complete 96 hours of community service.
