A convicted felon who tried to rob a downtown Riverside hotel a year ago was sentenced Monday to four years in state prison.
Evan Christian Spriggs, 33, of Riverside pleaded guilty last month to burglary, under a plea agreement with prosecutors, who reduced the original charge of attempted robbery in exchange for Spriggs’ cooperation.
Riverside County Superior Court Judge Eric Keen certified the terms of the plea deal and imposed the sentence stipulated by the prosecution and defense.
According to Riverside police Officer Ryan Railsback, Spriggs approached a clerk at the Marriott hotel on Market Street about 10:30 p.m. last Feb. 9, handed the victim a note demanding cash and simulated having a handgun under his sweatshirt.
Railsback said the clerk did not immediately comply, and Spriggs panicked, running out of the hotel lobby.
Staff called 911, providing dispatchers with a description of the would-be bandit, and patrol officers converged on the downtown area, locating the defendant a few minutes later walking near the Fox Performing Arts Center, according to investigators.
Spriggs was taken into custody without a struggle. He was positively identified by the victim, investigators said.
According to court records, he has prior convictions for grand theft and attempted robbery.