BANK ROBBER WHO SHOT AT COPS GOING AWAY FOR QUARTER CENTURY

Simon Meza has been sentenced to 25 years in prison for robbing two Denver banks and shooting at pursing police officers, federal prosecutors said Tuesday.

Meza, 45, a felon, demanded money from a teller at the Huntington Bank branch at 18520 East Green Valley Ranch Boulevard and fled Sept. 20, 2023. Eight days later, Sept. 28, he did it again at a PNC Bank branch on West 32nd Avenue - but encountered Denver police.

Prosectors said: "Officers tried to arrest Meza in the truck, but Meza led officers on a high-speed chase" and "during the chase, Meza leaned out of the truck and fired one round from his Glock 27 .40 caliber handgun, striking the pursuing police vehicle in the front bumper.

"The chase ended when Meza caused a four-car accident at 44th Avenue and Harlan Street in Wheat Ridge. Meza then fled from the vehicle and was chased and arrested. Officers found the stolen money and loaded Glock 27 .40 caliber firearm in the truck."

Marvin Massey, head of the FBI in Denver, said: "Here we have a previous offender who could have taken advantage of state and federal opportunities to rehabilitate himself. Instead, he robbed two banks and fired on the officer who gave chase when he fled."