Robbery suspect asks to 'get this over with'

A Yuma man arrested in connection with the weekend robbery of a convenience store made an unusual request during his initial appearance in Justice Court on Tuesday afternoon.

"Can I just plead guilty and get this over with?" said 39-year-old Gregory Hill.

Justice of the Peace David Cooper, who was presiding over the hearing, explained to Hill that he could not plead guilty because Hill had not yet been charged with any crimes.

"These are only allegations against you," Cooper explained.

The judge told Hill that the Yuma Police Department was asking the county attorney's office to file a charge of robbery, which has until Thursday at 1 p.m. to do so.

Cooper explained that if the county attorney's office does not file any charges against him, Hill will be released.

Cooper set Hill's bond amount at $46,065. The judge told Hill that if he posted that bond, he needed to be back in court Thursday afternoon.

Hill was arrested Monday at about 10 p.m. by the U.S. Marshals Service in the area of 3rd Avenue and 19th Street after a foot pursuit.

On Sunday at 3:29 p.m., Yuma police officers were dispatched to the Chevron at 1825 S. 4th Ave. in reference to a panic alarm.   

While police were en route, Border Patrol agents witnessed  a man suspected of being Hill run out of the store and gave chase.

According to Yuma police, the investigation revealed that Hill entered the store and approached the cashier as if he were going to pay for some merchandise. Once at the cash register, Hill allegedly assaulted the cashier and fled the store with an undisclosed amount of money, according to police.

Although Hill was able to get away from the Border Patrol agents, U.S. marshals found Hill on Monday at about 10:06 p.m. in the area of 3rd Avenue and 19th Street.

Hill fled on foot but was later located at Circle K, 1798 S. 4th Ave., hiding in the bathroom. He was taken into custody by YPD and members of the U.S. Marshals Service and booked into the Yuma County Adult Detention Center.

Anyone with any information about the case is asked to call the YPD at 373-4700, or 78-CRIME to remain anonymous.