FORT WORTH, Texas. A 30-year-old man has been sentenced to 22 years in prison after pleading guilty to three counts of aggravated robbery stemming from a series of armed vehicle thefts in Fort Worth.
Jose Aguilar-Arellano pleaded guilty to the charges, and a Tarrant County jury assessed his punishment at 22 years in the Texas Department of Criminal Justice.
According to prosecutors, Aguilar-Arellano carried out the robberies on the night of March 17, 2025, while armed with a handgun.
Investigators said Aguilar-Arellano separately approached three occupied vehicles, including an Oncor Electric company truck. During each encounter, he pointed the handgun at the driver and ordered the victim out of the vehicle.
In the first two robberies, the victims complied with his demands. Aguilar-Arellano stole both vehicles and fled the scene.
Authorities said Aguilar-Arellano attempted to steal a third truck later that night. He pointed the handgun at the driver and pulled the trigger, but the weapon malfunctioned and failed to fire. The intended victim escaped without injury.
Fort Worth police officers identified Aguilar-Arellano as the suspect during the investigation and arrested him the following day, March 18, 2025.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant Criminal District Attorneys Lisa Callaghan and Erika Staif.
