Man arrested in connection with fatal robbery in Glendale last year

PHOENIX – An Arizona man was arrested Monday for allegedly taking part in a fatal robbery in Glendale last year, court records show.

Francisco Barajas, 23, allegedly planned to rob a victim at an apartment complex near Camelback Road and 59th Avenue on September 29, 2023.

Two other people – an unnamed woman and an unnamed man – were involved in the robbery, according to arrest documents. The male co-conspirator was killed along with the victim when gunfire erupted.

Police took Barajas to jail on two counts of first-degree murder. Bail was set at $1.3 million.

What happened during the fatal robbery in Glendale last year?

Arrest records show that Glendale police officers rushed to the complex around 10:50 p.m. after gunshots were reported in the parking lot.

Officers found the robbery victim with multiple gunshot wounds to his back in the driver's seat of a black 2005 Jaguar XJ8. They found a handgun on the floor where he was sitting, arrest documents state.

Police also found a second man lying face down in the parking lot, holding a black semi-automatic rifle, according to arrest records. He had a gunshot wound to the chest.

Officers found 18 rifle cartridges near the robbery victim’s vehicle.

After the fatal robbery, Barajas traveled around the country and lived in his truck, arrest documents say.

Glendale police arrested Barajas during a traffic stop near Glendale and Grand Avenue on Monday. He told police he planned to leave the state for an unknown period of time.

In addition, Barajas told police the unnamed woman involved in the robbery was a bad influence and made him take fentanyl and pills, arrest records say. He also denied planning the robbery and being present at the murders.

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