KINGMAN – The wheelman in a Kingman bank robbery has entered a plea agreement that will send him to prison for nearly a decade. Christopher Ayala, 49, California pleaded guilty Aug. 8 to robbery and unlawful use of means of transportation.
Terms of the agreement require Mohave County Superior Court Judge Derek Carlisle to impose a 9.5-year prison term at a Sept. 5 sentencing hearing.
Authorities have said that Ayala was the getaway driver after accused accomplice Mario Fragassi, 53, Golden Valley, committed the armed robbery of the Mission Bank branch on Hualapai Mountain Road on Feb 26. Kingman police said Ayala drove to the Napa Auto Parts store in the 2500 block of Andy Devine Avenue where Fragassi was wounded in a gunfire exchange with officers, while Ayala was able to call a cab to escape before he was arrested the next day.
Fragassi remains in custody while awaiting trial for armed robbery and other charges.
Dave Hawkins
