Albuquerque man charged with five counts of armed robbery

               ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – Estevan Hernandez, 20, of Albuquerque, was arraigned in federal court on Dec. 9 on five counts of armed robbery.

              According to a criminal complaint, Hernandez allegedly robbed five Albuquerque restaurants from Aug. 6 through Nov. 4. During the final robbery, Hernandez allegedly entered a McDonald’s and approached a cash register. Hernandez allegedly pulled a handgun, pointed it at an employee and demanded that the employee get the manager, which she did. Hernandez then allegedly demanded that the manager open the register, and Hernandez took the entire till.

              As responding officers converged on the restaurant, an officer spotted Hernandez as he got into a black sedan and fled. An Albuquerque Police air unit tracked the vehicle as a pursuit ensued, and Hernandez was ultimately taken into custody.

              A complaint is only an allegation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. If convicted, Hernandez faces 20 years in prison.

              The FBI Violent Crimes Task Force investigated this case with assistance from the Albuquerque Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Sarah J. Mease is prosecuting the case.