A Gary man was sentenced to 45 years Tuesday in a pawn shop owner’s slaying.
Derek Sanders, 24, the alleged shooter, pleaded guilty in April to murder in the Nov. 17 death of Brandon Cruz, 50, of Lake Station.
Hilda Cruz, the victim’s mother, said his death was “brutal” and “cold-blooded.”
His fiancé Julie Bagan said her life was “broken.” She asked Judge Natalie Bokota to “protect Brandon’s legacy” and give Sanders a maximum sentence.
The plea outlined a 45-year term, which is the minimum sentence for murder.
Deputy Prosecutor Veronica Gonzalez asked Bokota to accept the plea’s terms.
Defense lawyer Cipriano Rodriguez noted his client “took responsibility” and they were able to close the case “swiftly.”
Sanders spoke briefly in court, saying he wanted to pay his debt to society.
Bokota acknowledged Sanders was “devastated” to have such a long prison sentence, but was still capable of growth and change.
Co-defendant Charles Garcia-Berrios, 32, the alleged driver, is in the middle of bail hearings to see if a judge will release him before trial after evaluating his case’s strength.
Gary Police responded at 11:30 a.m., Nov. 17 to We Buy Gold, 3720 Broadway Ave. Cruz was found shot in the back of the head just inside the store.
Just before he went inside the pawn shop, the shooter dropped a purple cellphone on the ground that police later tied to Sanders. A detective wrote there was a short struggle before the man shot Cruz, then ran off.
Police used license plate readers and video to track the driver about a half hour after Cruz was killed to a Hammond gas station near Grand Boulevard and 169th Street. One man with neck tattoos – later identified as Garcia-Berrios – went inside. The Buick was registered to Garcia-Berrios’s wife.
Sanders was arrested Dec. 9 at his apartment. Officers found clothes similar to the shooter there, according to charging documents.
Cruz was “devoted” and “hardworking,” who ran the pawn shop for 17 years, according to his obituary. He was a regular member of Family Christian Center in Munster. He had an “eye for quality,” “love for jewelry” and “impeccable style.”
He is survived by his fiancé and kids.
mcolias@post-trib.com