Late last month on July 21, two young men were arrested by the Redlands Police Department in San Bernardino County and booked on robbery charges after officers responded to a series of purse snatchings in the area.
According to the Press Enterprise, police stated in a news release that around 12:30 p.m. on July 21, a 75-year-old woman was eating lunch at the Jack in the Box when a young man snatched her purse and ran towards a black Dodge Challenger. The car then fled from the scene of the crime. When the 75-year-old victim subsequently called 911 to report the robbery, an immediate break in the case occurred. A short time after the original 911 call, an alert female driver in the area witnessed a purse being thrown from a black Challenger and called police.
The female driver then began following the Challenger and reported the car's license plate number and whereabouts. During the call, police dispatchers used local surveillance cameras to track down the car. Officers with the Redland Police Department eventually stopped the vehicle and arrested to men on suspicion of robbery. Redland Police also think the two suspects are culprits in a string of other recent unsolved robberies in the area.
Identifying Robbery Charges Under California Law
Robbery is classified as a serious felony according the California State Penal Code. This offense can be classified as a personal or property crime. According to California law, robbery is defined as follows:
The felonious taking of personal property in the possession of another, from his/her personal or immediate presence, and against his/her will, accomplished by means of force or fear. (California Penal Code, section 211)
Selecting a Criminal Defense That Can Work For You
In the state of California, a guilty verdict on a charge of robbery can result in a sentence of anywhere between two to five years in state prison. If a suspect is tried and found guilty of robbery in commission with another personal felony (such as kidnapping), the sentence for such a defendant can be much lengthier.
If you have been arrested for robbery, and you live in the Temecula, Murrieta, Menifee, Wildomar, Perris, Banning, Lake Elsinore, Hemet, Corona, Winchester or Riverside areas, don't hesitate to contact our law office. We are an experienced criminal law firm with a track record of defending clients who face robbery and any other criminal charges. We can help!