‘Bag Boy Bandit’ Sentenced To 31 Months In State Prison

A “bag boy bandit” is headed behind bars.

Paul D. Gabel, 20, pleaded guilty last week to first-degree robbery. He was a suspect in a string of robberies at Spokane area grocery stores.

Spokane County Superior Court Judge Michael Donahue sentenced the Spokane resident to 31 months in state prison Thursday.

Gabel and Jacob I. Schmitt were accused of robbing four Excell Food Stores and a Barney’s Soopermarket in July.

All the robberies were similar. One or two men entered the stores, displayed guns and demanded that clerks fill a bag with money, according to police.

Gabel was arrested July 18 after he and Schmitt fled in a car after robbing the Excell store at 3704 N. Nevada, court records state.

Schmitt, 22, eluded police for a day before being arrested. He is scheduled to go on trial Monday.

, DataTimes