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A South Los Angeles man was arrested Wednesday in connection with a series of armed robberies in parking lots in Los Angeles and Orange counties, particularly at shopping centers in Newport Beach and Costa Mesa.
O’Shea Pollard, 21, of the Manchester Square neighborhood of Los Angeles, was charged with robbery and obstruction of commerce by use of a firearm in furtherance of a crime. If convicted on all charges, Mr. Pollard faces a statutory maximum sentence of life in federal prison.
Prosecutors said Pollard targeted victims in the parking lot and robbed or attempted to rob at least four people. The crime period was from August 25th to September 22nd.
According to the complaint, on Aug. 26, Pollard and an accomplice approached two victims who were standing near a Rolls-Royce SUV and a Ferrari in the parking lot of the Fashion Island Shopping Center in Newport Beach. .
Authorities said Pollard pointed a semi-automatic handgun at the victim next to the Rolls-Royce and demanded all of the victim’s cash. The victim handed over a luxury watch, a wallet and the keys to a Rolls Royce.
As the other victim started the Ferrari and tried to leave, Pollard ran to the Ferrari’s driver’s door and fired one shot from a handgun into the vehicle, according to the complaint.
The bullet missed the victim. The victim drove to a nearby gas station and asked the gas station attendant to call police, who later recovered a 9mm shell casing from the scene.
Prosecutors said the total value of the stolen items was approximately $44,000.
During the fourth and final robbery, Pollard allegedly approached the victim as he got into his car in the parking lot of the Southcoast Plaza shopping mall in Costa Mesa and demanded, “Give me your watch.” . Please give me the ring. Please lend me your car. ”
The man then threatened to shoot the victim, according to the affidavit. When the victim did not comply, Pollard shot the victim in the left hand, pointed the gun at the victim’s chest and said, “You’re a dead man,” the complaint states.
As the victim began to remove his watch, Pollard shot him in the left thigh, authorities said. The victim then kicked Pollard, who fell to the ground, and the scuffle lasted about 15 seconds.
Pollard ran into a Kia Forte and fled the scene.
The victim survived the gunshot wound.
“These are violent crimes that not only terrorize the victims, but terrorize our entire community,” Orange County Public Affairs Director Kimberly Edds said in a statement. I have to think carefully about whether it will happen or not.” District Attorney’s Office.
An initial court date has not yet been assigned. It was not immediately clear whether Pollard had an attorney who could speak on his behalf.
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