By Pam Regensberg
Camera Staff Writer

A man charged with 17 felony counts in a trio of robberies earlier this year tried to kill a Westminster liquor store clerk for taking too long to give him the cash, according to testimony at a preliminary hearing Wednesday.

Suspected robber Juan Ramon Galvan, 28, pointed a .22-caliber rifle at the clerk's neck and pulled the trigger twice, according to INS agent Santos J. Valenzuela, who police called to help interview Galvan and others after the March 6 robbery.

Charges against Galvan include attempted first-degree murder and aggravated robbery.

A witness said Galvan yelled at his codefendant, Rafael Mendoza Garcia, 29, of Boulder after the robbery because Garcia was not aggressive enough, Valenzuela testified. Garcia said Galvan later took a larger cut of the approximately $300 because he was angry with him.

Galvan is also accused of holding up the Marriott Courtyard Hotel at 47th Street and Pearl Parkway on Feb. 21. In that case, police said three men, one armed with a rifle, stole about $600. Authorities said Galvan also participated in the March 2 robbery of Panaderia Chapala at 33rd Street and Arapahoe Avenue.

During interviews with INS agents, Galvan said he held up the hotel and the liquor store, but denied robbing the Mexican bakery.

Boulder County Judge John F. Stavely ordered Galvan to stand trial on the numerous charges.

Boulder County prosecutors said they will handle the Westminster case because it was part of an ongoing criminal episode that involved a car theft in Longmont.

Galvan's attorney, Gregg Friedman, argued that there is no direct evidence linking his client to the robbery of Panaderia Chapala.

Friedman added that there is no evidence the rifle was loaded during the Westminster liquor store robbery. The weapon was either incapable of firing or was not loaded, he said.

It must have been a "harrowing experience for the victim, but it doesn't rise to the level" of being attempted first-degree murder, he said.

Prosecutor Ken Kupfner argued that Galvan took a substantial step toward murder when he pulled the trigger and then chambered another round.

Meanwhile, Garcia, who admitted to robbing Panaderia Chapala, is awaiting sentencing and could receive between eight and 12 years in prison.

Contact Pam Regensberg at (303) 473-1329 or regensbergp@thedailycamera.com.

May 30, 2002

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