Three suspects face charges this week for the theft of more than a total of $1 million worth of diamonds from two Orange County jewelry stores. The suspects, two men and one woman, robbed the stores at gunpoint in August 2009 in connection with a San Diego street gang, and several other people involved with the crime have been convicted of charges related to the two robberies, according to The OC Register.
The two men now on trial participated in both jewelry store robberies, one in Tustin and the other in Laguna Beach, while the woman was only part of the Tustin robbery. In the Tustin robbery, the female defendant was buzzed through the security gate of the store after saying she wanted to sell a ring. When she left, she let in the two men who stole over $160,000 of jewelry. The second robbery in Laguna Beach involved the same two men and two others holding an employee at gunpoint and stealing over $1 million of jewelry and watches.
The three defendants now face charges of second-degree robbery, second-degree commercial robbery, and street terrorism with sentencing enhancement due to criminal street gang activity and handgun use by a gang member. If convicted, one of the defendants will be subject to California’s Three Strikes Law, as he already has two strikes against him.
California gives strict punishments for a variety of crimes in the state; however, gang-related crimes quickly result in even harsher penalties due to the provisions of the California Penal Code. If you or a loved one is facing criminal charges in relation to a gang, contact the Orange County gang crime defense attorneys at the Law Offices of Jeremy N. Goldman for skilled legal defense for your case. Call us for a free consultation at (800) 349-1619.
A Tustin man was arrested on the night of December 10 after stealing a Hummer limousine in Irvine at gunpoint and leading California Highway Patrol (CHP) on a pursuit that ended in Irvine. When the man fled the stolen vehicle he was completely naked; however, he had been fully clothed at the time of the theft, according to The Los Angeles Times.
The man stole the vehicle when he held its driver up at gunpoint at the intersection of Sand Canyon Avenue and Burt Road in Irvine around 8:15 p.m. and was soon followed by CHP officers. The car thief was the only occupant of the vehicle during the chase. After an hour and a half chase, the man fled the vehicle without his clothes and was tackled by a German Shepherd K9 unit. The man was taken into police custody but charges were not reported to the media.
In California, theft crimes are illegal activities that involve the stealing of another person or entity’s property, either by force or without consent. The stealing of another’s vehicle, known as grand theft auto, falls under California Penal Code 487 (d) (1), where the theft of any automobile, no matter what the value may be, is automatically constituted as grand theft. When an instance of theft, such as this one, involved the use of a firearm and leading police on a chase, additional charges may be added, including assault with a deadly weapon and resisting arrest.
These charges bring serious consequences, including imprisonment and heavy fines. As such, any criminal charges are not meant to be taken lightly and are best dealt with by hiring an experienced criminal defense lawyer. The Irvine theft attorney, Jeremy Goldman, can defend you against harsh criminal charges by applying his years of knowledge and experience to your criminal case. Call today for a consultation at (800) 349-1619.
According to The Orange County Register, UC Irvine campus police have recently arrested five individuals who have allegedly been stealing bicycles from the university campus since January. The arrested suspects are not UCI students and one of them has been convicted for stealing bicycles from the UCI campus twice before, once in September 2010 and then in April 2011.
Approximately 135 bicycles have been reported as stolen from UCI since January 2011. Authorities suspect that repeat offenders are involved. The UCI Police Chief states that although the university campus is, overall, a safe and secure environment, students and faculty alike need to realize that crime does happen and they need to take precautions to stay safe. Too many people leave their items unsecured around campus.
According to the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) crime statistics, there were 1,296 incidents of property crime in Orange County during 2009, including 243 incidents of burglary, 940 of larceny-theft, 113 of motor vehicle theft, and 11 of arson, which the FBI includes within the category of property crimes. Though 1,296 OC property crimes is a large number, it is a far cry from Los Angeles County, which had over 18,000 incidents of property crime in 2009. However, both statistics serve as a reminder precautions need to be taken, and that wrongful accusations can result from such occurrences, particularly when a high number of crimes take place.
Being arrested for a theft crime in Orange County can be very overwhelming and confusing, especially if the situation is a misunderstanding. Consulting with a knowledgeable Irvine theft crime defense attorney would ensure that the true facts of your case are presented and not misinterpreted. Contact The Law Offices of Jeremy N. Goldman today to learn more about protecting your rights.
The number of car thefts nationwide has dropped in recent years, but Fresno’s car theft rate is still higher than the rate in Orange County, according to a recent article published in The Orange County Register.
According to the National Insurance Crime Bureau, approximately 53,000 cars were stolen in Orange County last year. This number is part of a multi-year decline in car thefts, which went down by 7.2 percent throughout the United States as a whole in 2009 and 2010, according to the U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). In Orange County, about 417 cars were stolen per 100,000 people in 2010. In Fresno, however, nearly 812 cars per 100,000 people were stolen, and in Modesto the number was about 754 cars per 100,000 people.
Despite the decline, California still sees an unusually high number of car thefts each year. Eight of the country’s ten areas with the highest car-theft rates are in California. These include Fresno, Orange County, Sacramento, Vallejo-Fairfield, Visalia-Porterfield, and the San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont areas. The city of Los Angeles is ranked 23rd in the nation for cities with high car theft rates.
Car theft has been an underground business for many years, and police that investigate car theft rings often pull in everyone who has ever been related to the illegal activity, regardless of their role or the reasons they may have been involved. If you have been charged with car theft or another felony theft in California, the experienced Orange County theft defense attorneys at the Law Offices of Jeremy N. Goldman can help you understand your legal rights. For a free and confidential consultation, call us today at 1-800-349-1619.
Costa Mesa police officials arrested a 19-year-old male on December 14 for his alleged role in the theft of several sets of tires in the area, according to an article in The Daily Pilot. Along with another suspect, the teen was spotted leaving the scene of the latest tire theft around 2:45 a.m., police officials say. Officers were dispatched after a resident contacted police and stated that they had witnessed the two suspects taking tires off of a 2006 Cadillac CTS. An attempt was made to pull the vehicle the two men were driving in over; however, officers ended up chasing the car for nearly half a mile. Both men allegedly tried to flee on foot, but the 19-year-old was caught. The driver of the vehicle escaped.
Theft in Orange County is a serious offense and anyone accused of a theft crime can face serious penalties, including fines, community service, and a lengthy prison sentence. Acquiring the services of an experienced criminal defense attorney is highly advised before speaking to police investigators or even to friends and family. Any incriminating statements, no matter to whom they are said, can jeopardize a solid defense.
If you or a loved one is facing theft charges in California, contact the aggressive Costa Mesa theft crime defense attorneys at The Law Offices of Jeremy N. Goldman. We have the knowledge and the resources that are necessary to conduct a thorough investigation and build a strong defensive case on your behalf. You have legal rights and we will fight to ensure that those rights are upheld in a court of law in order to garner you the best possible outcome. Depending on the circumstances of your alleged crime, there may be a possibility of getting charges lessened or the case thrown out completely. Call The Law Offices of Jeremy N. Goldman at 1-800-349-1619 to learn more about your legal options.
The Orange County Register reported that police arrested three suspects for allegedly robbing a Bank of America located in Newport Beach. The group of suspects disguised in fake beards and sunglasses used handguns to steal a large sum of money from the bank. The crew of Eagle One, a police helicopter, spotted a black sedan that was driving erratically. As a result, the helicopter pilot ordered a police patrol vehicle to stop the car.
As a Huntington Beach patrol car went to stop the sedan, the vehicle quickly pulled away. The officer pursued the vehicle at speeds of 100-120 mph until the car’s rear tire experienced problems that forced the driver to pull the vehicle to a stop. Officers from other police departments including Seal Beach, Newport Beach, Huntington Beach, and Long Beach, participated in the high speed chase with the suspect.
Two occupants ran away from the vehicle, but were later apprehended by the police.
A third suspect was also arrested in connection with the pursuit.
It is relatively common for individuals to feel intimidated by law enforcement even if they have not committed a crime. However, fleeing law enforcement can make the potential consequences you face for being accused of a crime even worse. If a police vehicle makes it clear that you must pull over, it is advised that you do so.
If you have been accused of a robbery or theft offense in California, you may face a lengthy sentence, hefty fines, loss of employment, probation, and other impositions. To make sure that your rights are defended, you may want to contact the Newport Beach defense attorneys of the Law Offices of Jeremy N. Goldman. We aggressively advocate on behalf of our clients to ensure that they receive a fair trial. If you have been charged with robbery or any other serious offense in Orange County, contact our office to speak with our criminal defense attorneys at 949-622-5417.
The Sheriff Deputies of San Bernardino County have arrested eight people believed to be responsible for 19 bank robberies in Southern California. Authorities dubbed the robbers the “Bedtime Bandits,” as they fill pillowcases with cartoon characters on them with stolen cash and goods.
Two of the suspects are still at large, but these eight were caught between December 4 and December 17, 2009. The first of these individuals were caught in Loma Linda before a planned robbery. Several of the suspects are being charged with armed robberies, while others are accused of aiding and abetting the robbers. Many of the suspects are affiliated with Los Angeles gangs.
The armed robberies began last January and were committed in “takeover style,” a type of robbery that involves ordering bank employees and customers by force to get on the ground while the thieves steal money. The arrests are a culmination of a yearlong investigation conducted by the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department.
Orange County theft crimes are labeled as illegal activities that involve stealing another person’s property or entity. When use of a weapon is involved, defendants may also be faced with assault and battery charges. If you have been arrested or charged with theft, assault or battery, you need a skilled criminal defense attorney who can build a strong defense case for you. No one should have to face a criminal charge alone. Fortunately, we can help. The attorneys at the Law Offices of Jeremy N. Goldman can provide skilled guidance for your Southern California crime case. If you seek an experienced Orange County criminal defense attorney, call (949) 622-5417 for a free and confidential consultation.
Source:http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/lanow/2009/12/san-bernardino-deputies-arrest-alleged-bedtime-bandits-bank-robbers.html
