| For Immediate Release Case # 09HF1045
February 6, 2012 |
Susan Kang Schroeder Chief of Staff Office: 714-347-8408 Cell: 714-292-2718 Farrah Emami |
MAN SENTENCED FOR TWO ROBBERIES AT CHECK CASHING STORES AND LEADING POLICE ON HIGH SPEED CHASE AFTER TAKING HOSTAGE
SANTA ANA – A man was convicted and sentenced today to 13 years in prison plus an additional life sentence for two armed robberies at check cashing businesses and leading officers on a high speed chase after taking a hostage during the second robbery. Tracy Ramon Seward, 41, Laguna Hills, pleaded guilty today to two felony counts of robbery and one felony count each of aggravated kidnapping, use of a firearm to resist arrest, evading police officers, possession of stolen property, and a sentencing enhancement allegation for the personal use of a firearm.
May 13, 2009 Incident
At approximately 2:45 p.m. on May 13, 2009, Seward entered a check cashing business in Tustin, Check N’ Go, carrying a concealed semi-automatic firearm. The defendant pulled out the firearm and pointed it at employee Christine B., demanding that she give him cash. After Christine B. gave Seward the money from the register, the defendant again pointed the firearm at Christine B. and demanded that she open the safe.
The safe had a 10-minute time delay. While waiting for the safe to open, Seward locked the front door of the store using the victim’s keys and cut the phone lines with a knife from his pocket. The defendant forced Christine B. to the back of the store to retrieve the surveillance tape and then returned to have her remove the money from the safe. After stealing the money, the defendant forced Christine B. to the back of the store a second time, ordered her to lie on the ground, and count to 100. He then fled the scene. The Tustin Police Department (TPD) investigated this case.
June 10, 2009 Incident
At approximately 8:50 a.m. on June 10, 2009, Seward entered a check cashing business in Lake Forest, Payday Loans, carrying a concealed loaded semi-automatic firearm. Seward pulled out the firearm and grabbed Abdul L., a customer. He pointed the firearm at the victim’s head and threatened to kill him if the clerk, Laura B., activated the alarm or refused to give him the store’s money. Laura B. gave Seward the money from the register and then Seward demanded the clerk give him all of the money from the safe while repeatedly threatening to kill Abdul L.
Laura B. was able to notify police about the robbery without the defendant’s knowledge and deputies from the Orange County Sheriff’s Department (OCSD) arrived at Payday Loans while the defendant was still inside. Seward forced Abdul L. from the store and used him as a shield as officers ordered Seward to drop his weapon. The defendant threatened the officers that he would kill the victim, forced Abdul L. into his car, and pointed his firearm at officers as he got into the car.
Seward fled the scene in his car with Abdul L. as a hostage. He led OCSD deputies on a pursuit for approximately 45 minutes at speeds up to 115 mph. He recklessly evaded officers and ran through over 40 red lights, 15 stop signs, and drove on the wrong side of the road.