Conviction for Modesto grocery theft, meth deal

Superior Court Judge Dawna Reeves this week sentenced a Modesto man to three years in prison for trying to steal from a grocery store and selling methamphetamine in a police sting operation.

On Monday, Anthony Ray Quijas, 23, was convicted of attempted robbery, selling narcotics and being a felon in possession of a gun, according to the Stanislaus County District Attorney’s Office.

Deputy District Attorney Jessica Bustos prosecuted the case for the People.

The attempted theft occurred Oct. 12, 2013, when prosecutors say Quijas stole several items from a Cost Less store in Modesto.

When he was apprehended by a store security guard, Quijas tried to escape and brandished a BB gun, according to prosecutors. The security guard seized the BB gun, and Quijas admitted to stealing the store merchandise.

A year later, the Modesto police Narcotics Enforcement Team conducted the sting operation with confidential informants who bought the meth from Quijas. Later that day, officers tried to apprehend Quijas, who ran into a Wendy’s fast food restaurant with a loaded .22 caliber revolver.

Prosecutors said the defendant tried to hide the gun in a napkin holder. The officers then arrested Quijas.

This story was originally published January 16, 2015 at 4:40 PM with the headline "Conviction for Modesto grocery theft, meth deal."