Countywide

An armed robber who held up 14 Blockbuster Video stores was sentenced Thursday to 26 years, four months in state prison.

In addition, a $10,000 fine was levied against Roberto Cruz Loza, 31, of San Diego, by Municipal Judge Charles Patrick.

Loza pleaded guilty March 1 to robbing Blockbuster branches throughout the county--from San Marcos to National City.

The robberies began Sept. 26 and ended Dec. 28 with his arrest by U.S. Customs.

“The guy was released from prison in April in Los Angeles,” said Deputy Dist. Atty. Steven Anear, who said Loza had been imprisoned on an armed-robbery conviction.

Before Loza’s arrest, the video chain had posted a $5,000 reward. Anear said the arrest, however, was not the result of a tip but the product of “good police work.”