Suspects Get 5-Year Sentences for Fast-Food Burglary Ring That Hit Several Counties

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Two suspects in a burglary ring targeting fast-food restaurants along Interstate 5 pleaded guilty this week. Each were sentenced to more than five years in prison for the multiple break-ins.

Four suspects have been charged in the criminal enterprise, which dates back to spring 2015 and includes burglaries of similar circumstances at fast-food restaurants in Lewis, Thurston and Franklin counties. Prosecutors also suspect the ring extended to Pierce and King counties. 

Suspects have been accused of entering restaurants by cutting holes in roofs, then sawing through safes to steal cash. Suspects also allegedly trashed restaurants as they left, destroying computer equipment and spraying a fire extinguisher through one building. 

Cole T. Moon, 24, of Covington, pleaded guilty Thursday to five counts of second-degree burglary and five counts of first-degree malicious mischief. 

He was sentenced, pursuant to a plea agreement, to a total of 68 months, or more than 5½ years. 

Moon pleaded guilty in March to one count of second-degree burglary involving a break-in and theft at Centralia’s McDonald’s. Suspects reportedly cut a hole in the roof to gain access to the restaurant.

In that case, he was sentenced as a first-time offender to 45 days in jail. Prosecutors said at the time that they did not have evidence to charge Moon with additional crimes, but reserved the right to file additional charges in the future. 

A few weeks later, prosecutors filed four additional charges related to other burglaries in the spree. 

Before his guilty plea hearing Thursday, prosecutors had amended his charges to include 13 felonies in eight separate incidents — three of them attempted burglaries. 



Prosecutors dropped the three attempted burglary charges as part of the plea deal. Moon pleaded guilty Thursday to second-degree burglary and first-degree malicious mischief in five incidents in Lewis, Thurston and Franklin counties.

The Lewis County Prosecutor’s Office obtained permission from the Thurston and Franklin county prosecutor’s offices to add crimes in those jurisdictions to the local court cases. 

Another suspect in the case, Joaquin Armenta Jr., 24, of Covington, pleaded guilty Friday to five counts of second-degree burglary and five counts of first-degree malicious mischief in Lewis and Thurston counties.

He was also sentenced to 5½ years in prison. 

“My client got into some stuff he shouldn’t have gotten into and he’s coming in to take responsibility,” said attorney Chris Baum. 

Morelia V. Ayala Garcia, 19, of Centralia, was charged with one count each of second-degree burglary and first-degree malicious mischief. According to the court documents, a sentencing hearing is scheduled for May 24. 

Alexis Cardenas, 26, of Black Diamond, the accused ringleader of the gang, pleaded guilty in March to five counts each of second-degree burglary and first-degree malicious mischief and one count of attempted delivery of cocaine while in custody at the Lewis County Jail.  His sentencing is scheduled for May 24.