An Issaquah man who robbed a Kirkland Subway employee at gunpoint in July pleaded guilty to first-degree robbery today in King County Superior Court.

Ryan Arthur Mashek, 30, faces a sentence range of 77 to 102 months – or up to eight-and-a-half years – in prison.

On July 7, Mashek entered the Subway located at 11613 124th Ave. NE in Totem Lake and pointed a gun at an employee demanding money. The employee hand over several $5 and $20 bills before Mashek fled to the AM/PM across the street and fled in a vehicle, according to court documents.

Just before he fled, a witness saw the encounter and followed the suspects in his vehicle. He obtained the car’s license plate number and notified police that Mashek and two other suspects were at Fred Meyer.

Kirkland police converged on the vehicle and performed a high risk vehicle stop and arrested Mashek and two 21-year-old men.

The 21-year-old men disclosed to police Mashek was in possession of a loaded air-soft pistol during the time of the robbery and that he had put the gun under the front seat when police arrived, the documents continue.

Mashek was convicted of three counts of second-degree robbery in 2008, including one case wherein he threatened a victim with a gun.

Mashek posted $250,000 bail on Wednesday and was released from King County Jail. His sentencing is set for 2:45 p.m. on Nov. 15 in King County Superior Court.