PHOENIX -- A Bosnian national has been sentenced to 17.5 years in prison for a July 21, 2006 robbery of an armored car that was off-loading money at Casino Arizona.

Adnan Alisic, 28, of Phoenix, and one of his co-defendants, Ismar Kabaklic, approached the armored car drivers as they were off-loading money, police said.

Kabaklic was armed with a simulated AK-47 assault rifle and Alisic sprayed the armored car guard with pepper spray, according to police.

The men stole over $700,000 from the armored car and sped away in their vehicle, according to investigators.

The plan the men had devised included an elaborate escape plan which involved them entering the city sewer system through a manhole cover, police said.

While in the sewer, the men planned to ride an ATV in the sewer to an exit manhole, police said. However, the men were unable to get the manhole cover open, allowing police to catch up with them. A high-speed chase ensued.

When the getaway van came to a stop, Alisic fled on foot and escaped. Kabaklic stopped to try to get the bags of money and was arrested by officers.

Further investigation revealed that at least two other men were involved in the planning of the robbery and the escape, police said.

Kabaklic confessed to his involvement and provided the names of the remaining conspirators, police said. Within the same day, Alisic was arrested and confessed to his involvement.

At his trial, Alisic admitted that he helped plan the robbery but only because he was in debt to a loan shark named "Danny."

"Danny's" assistant, who was alleged to be the "muscle" in the loan shark organization, was named "Tony."

Alisic testified that he, "Tony" and the other co-defendants planned the robbery. Alisic testified that it was "Tony," not Alisic, who was present during the robbery.

"Tony" was committing the robbery so that Alisic could pay back his debt to "Danny." Alisic was unable to give any identifying information regarding "Danny" or "Tony." The testimony was presented as a duress defense and the jury ultimately rejected it.

Other conspirators, also Bosnian nationals, included Kabaklic who pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 6.5 years on March 24; Bakir Mujkic who helped plan the robbery and was sentenced to two years in prison on March 10; and Daniel Mujkic, who pleaded guilty to the robbery and is scheduled to be sentenced on April 28.

Lead investigators in the case included the Federal Bureau of Investigations, Salt River Police Department and Scottsdale Police Department.