For the eighth time in two weeks, robbers again struck Los Angeles' trendy Melrose Avenue shopping district. During Wednesday's evening rush hour, three young men jumped out of a silver Chevy Malibu to snatch the purse of a woman strolling along Genesee Avenue near Fairfax High School, said a spokesperson for the Los Angeles Police Department. No weapons were displayed, and the suspects returned quickly to their car and fled the scene.
Police are unsure whether Wednesday's robbery was perpetrated by the same thieves as the previous seven robberies or is a copycat crime. The previous robberies were committed by one to three individuals who threatened victims with a gun while demanding money and valuables. Unlike Wednesday's daylight robbery, those robberies occurred either late at night or in the early morning hours.
Melrose Avenue area residents upset about the crime spree have launched a campaign to warn neighbors and visitors to the popular shopping district. While no one has been hurt so far, most likely because victims have speedily complied with robbers' demands, police are concerned that a tragedy could occur if a victim attempts to confront the robbers.
Robbery is a serious and violent felony in California punishable by state prison. Robbery is defined as the taking of property from an individual against his will by means of force or fear. When the force used is a gun or deadly weapon, it is called armed robbery. Use of physical force -- pushing, shoving, beating, kicking or any kind of physical attack -- is called strong arm robbery. Robbery differs from burglary and theft in the involvement of personal confrontation and use of force.
A robbery conviction carries a state prison sentence of 3 to 9 years for first degree robbery and 2 to 5 years for second degree robbery. Use of a gun added 10 years to the sentence and discharge of a gun adds 20 years. Robbery also falls under California's strict Three Strikes Law which can further increase your sentence if convicted. If you are charged with robbery, you will need the assistance of a skilled criminal defense attorney with experience handling robbery cases.
