California men sentenced for string of robberies, thefts in Colorado

Published on June 04, 2026

GREELEY, Colo. (Weld County D.A.) – Two California men will spend several decades behind bars for their roles in a series of robberies and thefts at dispensaries throughout Colorado during the summer of 2023.

Antonio Deray Darnell, 36, and Gabriel Angel Sanchez, 32, were sentenced following their convictions for crimes stemming from five separate incidents that occurred throughout the Front Range, including the robbery of an Empyreal Logistics employee outside High Plainz Strains Dispensary in Garden City on July 7, 2023.

All five incidents were charged and prosecuted in Weld County.

The defendants targeted cash couriers making scheduled pickups at businesses.

In the Garden City incident, the courier was carrying a case containing approximately $67,000 when the defendants confronted him in the parking lot.

During the robbery, the defendants forcibly took the cash and fled the scene in a waiting vehicle.

In February, a Weld County jury convicted both defendants of three counts of robbery, four counts of theft, and one count of attempted theft. In total, the defendants stole more than $116,000 during the five incidents.

On May 19, Weld County District Court Judge Vincente Vigil sentenced both defendants to 30 years in the Colorado Department of Corrections.

Chief Deputy District Attorney Steve Wrenn prosecuted this case.