Man sentenced for 2022 armed robbery, assault at Kalamazoo business

KALAMAZOO, Mich. — A man has been convicted of armed robbery and assault in Kalamazoo.

The incident occurred in August 2022 in the 2100 block of South Burdick Street, according to the Kalamazoo Department of Public Safety (KDPS).

We’re told the suspect entered a business with a gun and demanded money. He shot the clerk and a customer before taking off in a vehicle and crashing it.

KDPS told FOX 17 the suspect then shot at an officer’s patrol car. A brief chase ensued, during which he continued to shoot at the police. He evaded arrest for several days until he was taken into custody a few days later.

The suspect was later identified as Juan Antonio Alvarado-Lopez. KDPS says he was charged with 17 counts, including assault with murderous intent, assault to commit armed robbery, assault on an officer, and resisting and obstructing.

Alvarado-Lopez pleaded guilty to 14 of those charges, investigators told FOX 17. He was sentenced to 17 to 40 years in prison as well as 2 years on gun-related charges. Both sentences will be served consecutively.

“This sentencing highlights the seriousness of the crime and highlights the unacceptable violence our officers and community members face,” said Capt. Danielle Guilds of the Criminal Investigation Division. “This case reminds us of the risks our public safety officers take every day to keep our city safe.

KDPS re-released body camera video depicting the moments Alvarado-Lopez opened fire on a responding officer to highlight how dangerous the incident was.

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