Man pleads guilty in Del Taco robbery

ROSWELL, N.M. (KRQE) - The young man who robbed a Del Taco in Los Lunas last year and took a girl hostage, who later turned out to be his girlfriend, is looking at a possible 25 1/2 years in prison.

Vakei Robinson, 23, pleaded guilty Tuesday to seven of the 14 counts against him.

In August of last year he robbed the restaurant wearing a skeleton mask and took employee Ariel Gallegos hostage.

Police later found out they were dating and say the two were working together.

Because Robinson has a long criminal past prosecutors made sure the deal required some significant jail time.

”Hopefully he will never do it again,” District Attorney Lemuel Martinez said. “There is guaranteed jail time so between 15 and 25 years he's going to spend some time to think about what he did.”

Gallegos is facing the same charges as Robinson including kidnapping and armed robbery.

Prosecutors say they will try to work out a deal with her as well.

If it does not work, they are ready for trial.