Suspects Arrested for String of Robberies
Authorities have arrested three men who are suspected of committing up to 10 robberies in the bustling Fashion District of Los Angeles, California.
The following three suspects were arrested late October for a string of robberies that took place between May and September 2008:
- Miguel Sanchez, 27
- Gamaliel Hernandez, 22
- Hector Flores, 42
Police were able to identify and, subsequently, arrest the suspects using a witness’ account, which included the suspects’ license plate number, and gas station surveillance footage, which showed the suspects using a victim’s credit card.
Details of the Robberies
According to reports, two of the ten robberies involved businesses while the other eight targeted individuals, mainly smaller Asian women who were alone. All of the robberies occurred during the daytime, ranging from late morning to mid-afternoon.
According to authorities, when this trio of suspects robbed an individual, they came at their victims from behind and threatened violence, in some cases with a gun, if the victim tried to resist.
Charges and Potential Sentences
While each of the arrested suspects have already been arraigned and officially charged, a trial date has yet to be set.
The charges stand as follows:
- Sanchez, whose bail was set at $2.5 million, has been charged with seven counts of robbery and a single count of attempted robbery.
- Flores, whose bail was set at $180,000, faces once count of mayhem and two charges of robbery.
- Hernandez, whose bail was set at $75,000, only faces a single count of robbery.
Each count of first-degree robbery can carry anywhere from a three to six year sentence upon the jury’s return of a guilty plea. Consequently, if Sanchez is convicted of all seven robbery charges (as well of the attempted robbery charge), he will face up to 50 years in a California state prison.
If both Flores and Hernandez are also convicted of all of the charges they face, they will face about 20 years and 6 years, respectively.
(Source: Los Angeles Times)
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