| For Immediate Release Case # 08NF1434
February 2, 2009 |
Susan Kang Schroeder Public Affairs Counsel Office: 714-347-8408 Cell: 714-292-2718 Farrah Emami |
TEENAGER SENTENCED TO 11 YEARS IN PRISON FOR ROBBING JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS AT KNIFEPOINT AND WITH SCREWDRIVER
*Defendant convicted of robbing or attempting to rob 12 people on three separate dates over two weeks
FULLERTON – A juvenile who was charged as an adult was sentenced today to 11 years in state prison for robbing several junior high school students and two adults at knifepoint and while using a screwdriver as a weapon. Martin Sanchez, 18, Anaheim, who was 17 years old at the time of the crime and direct filed as an adult, pleaded guilty on Dec. 12, 2008, to five felony counts of robbery and five felony counts of attempted robbery. The victims in this case were Caucasian, Chinese-American, Hispanic-American, Korean-American, and Vietnamese-American.
At approximately 3:30 p.m. on April 8, 2008, Sanchez approached 13-year-old John Doe #1 as the victim was walking off campus at Ball Junior High School (BJHS) in Anaheim. Sanchez told the victim to empty their pockets and then punched John Doe #1 in the face, causing his nose to bleed, when the victim didn’t respond and attempted to walk away.
Approximately 30 minutes later, Sanchez approached three victims at BJHS, who were standing on the field behind the school. Sanchez pulled a knife from his pocket, flipped the blade open, and ordered the victims to allow him to search them. Sanchez patted down each victim’s pants pockets and stole cash from 13-year-old John Doe #2, a special education student, 15-year-old John Doe #3, and 13-year-old John Doe #4. To intimidate the victims, Sanchez identified himself as a criminal street gang member.
At approximately 6:15 p.m. on April 16, 2008, Sanchez was riding his bike in Anaheim and stopped in front of the home of 23-year-old John Doe #5, who was outside smoking a cigarette. Sanchez pulled out a knife and pointed it at John Doe #5, ordering the victim to empty his pockets. Sanchez stole John Doe #5’s bank and social security cards, cell phone, and cigarettes, and then threw the victim’s empty wallet on the ground.
At approximately 9:00 p.m. on April 21, 2008, Sanchez rode his bike up to 27-year-old John Doe #6, who was walking up to his home from his garage. Sanchez pointed a screwdriver at the victim and demanded money. John Doe #6 ran and escaped to a neighbor’s garage.
Approximately 15 minutes later, Sanchez approached 13-year-old John Doe #7 and 14-year-old John Doe #8 as the victims were taking out the trash. Sanchez asked the victims if they had any money and then punched John Doe #7 in the face.
At approximately 4:30 p.m., Sanchez approached four victims on his bike as they walked home along the railroad tracks from BJHS. Sanchez ordered the victims to empty their pockets and held his right arm behind his back, as if hiding a knife. Sanchez stole cash from 14-year-old John Doe #9. No property was taken from 13-year-olds John Doe #10 and John Doe #11 and 14-year-old John Doe #12.