Accused robber pleads innocent

The Daily Inter Lake

A man accused of a botched robbery attempt on Feb. 28 will go to trial in June.

Richard Avila, 30, pleaded innocent Thursday before District Judge Kitty Curtis.

He is accused of trying to rob the Evergreen Gas & Deli on U.S. 2.

He reportedly ordered the clerk to give him money from her till, pulled a gun out of his waistband and pulled back the slide.

When the gun jammed, another customer reportedly mocked Avila, who fled to a car reportedly containing a woman, Johna Criner, 33, and two children in the backseat.

Criner reportedly crashed the getaway car just blocks away.

The children allegedly told police that Avila had been in the car and ran away. He returned and was arrested.

Avila is represented by public defender Glen Neier. He is prosecuted by Deputy County Attorney Tim Wenz.

Curtis scheduled his trial for June 27.