Men sentenced to 10 years in prison for crime in Ann Arbor

WASHTENAW COUNTY, MI – Two men will serve up to 10 years in prison for a 2023 Ann Arbor crime spree.

Gabriel Escobar, 19, and Christian Benitez-Reyes, 23, were each sentenced to five to 10 years in prison before Washtenaw County Trial Court Judge Arianne Slay on Oct. 24, according to court records. They both pleaded guilty to assault, less than murder, on September 19, also for Slay.

Slay gave Escobar credit for 398 days and Benitez-Reyes credit for 399 days.

Escobar was originally sent to trial on charges of armed robbery, attempted home invasion and resisting a police officer. Benitez-Reyes was charged with armed robbery, attempted home invasion, fleeing and eluding and one count of resisting and obstructing a police officer. Their other charges were dismissed at sentencing.

The case against a third co-defendant, 20-year-old Shawn Hastings, was dismissed in February after prosecutors said they did not have enough evidence to proceed. Hastings was originally charged with armed robbery, attempted home invasion, malicious destruction of personal property more than $1,000 but less than $20,000, and resisting a police officer.

The three men were charged on September 21, 2023 in connection with a series of crimes.

Ann Arbor police responded to the 200 block of South Main Street around 2:15 a.m. for a report of an armed robbery.

Two women were standing on the sidewalk when a vehicle traveling north on South Main Street turned around and parked nearby, police said. Two people then got out of the car, one armed with a long gun and the other with a balaclava and a knife.

One of the men then demanded cash from the women, police said, and after receiving the money, the suspects walked back to the vehicle and drove away. The women were not injured, police said.

About three minutes later, police said, officers spotted a vehicle matching the women’s description at a gas station on Main Street. Police said the passenger in the car was wearing a ski mask.

The vehicle traveled west on West William Street, pursued by officers, before crashing near Allmendinger Park, 655 Pauline Blvd., police said. Two male suspects left the scene on foot, while one, later identified as Hastings, remained there, police said. Hastings was taken to University of Michigan Hospital, police said, and officers also found a gun.

About 4:30 a.m., officers saw a man walking south on South Main Street, police said. The man, later identified as Benitez-Reyes, was identified as one of the suspects and arrested, police said.

The men were also charged in connection with an attempted home invasion in the 1800 block of Arbordale Street around 2 a.m. the same day. A homeowner reported hearing his car alarm followed by someone knocking on the front door, police said.

Want more Ann Arbor-area news? Bookmark the local Ann Arbor news page or sign up for free “3@3 Ann Arbor” daily newsletter.