Suspect in Chevron armed robbery avoids prison, let go on probation

Donovan Assude will serve 36 months of supervised probation

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) - Just months after an attempted armed robbery in a Yuma Foothills Chevron that turned into a nationally recognized story, 18-year-old Donovan Assude was let out of custody.

Thursday in Yuma County Superior Court, Assude avoided more time behind bars when a judge suspended a prison sentence. Instead, he will serve 36 months of supervised probation.

When asked if he had anything he wanted to say to the court, the 18-year-old said "I'm just sorry that I was involved in this."

This comes after Assude pled "no contest" to the state's plea agreement last month and was released from custody at the Yuma County jail to pretrial services, pending his sentencing.

In October of last year, Assude was the fourth suspect arrested and charged with endangerment as a co-conspirator in the planned armed robbery at a Chevron in the Yuma Foothills.

This was a story that gained national attention in a viral video from the gas station's surveillance camera.

The incident started when three suspects walked into the convenience store in October- one armed with a handgun, demanding money.

That's when customer James Kilcer, who previously served in the U.S. Marine Corps, thwarted the robbery, disarmed the suspect and held him until deputies arrived.

Video of Kilcer's efforts went viral and he received a number of commendations for his actions, including the YCSO Citizen's Valor Award.

The juvenile holding the gun was arrested on scene, while two other suspects initially escaped. YCSO arrested one of them on October 22nd and took a second into custody on October 29th.

Then over a week later, deputies announced the arrest of Assude who was the fourth suspect.