| For Immediate Release Case# 09SF0357
April 8, 2009 |
Susan Kang Schroeder Public Affairs Counsel Office: 714-347-8408 Cell: 714-292-2718 Farrah Emami |
THREE TEENS, INCLUDING ONE JUVENILE, CHARGED WITH STRING OF SOUTH ORANGE COUNTY ROBBERIES USING FAKE GUN
NEWPORT BEACH – Three defendants, including one juvenile charged as an adult, were charged today with committing a string of springtime South Orange County robberies using a replica gun to steal cash, cigarettes, and other small items. Justin Charles Burnette Walsh, 17, Lake Forest, and Andrew Southerland Hayes, 18, San Juan Capistrano, are each charged with nine felony counts of robbery and four felony counts of kidnapping for robbery. Walsh, who is a juvenile who has been directly charged as an adult, also faces a sentencing enhancement for the personal use of a dangerous weapon. Co-defendant Darcie Ginette Johnson, 18, is charged with five felony counts of robbery and three felony counts of kidnapping for robbery. If convicted, all three defendants face a maximum sentence of life in state prison.
Walsh is being held on $1 million bail and is scheduled for continued arraignment May 1, 2009, in Department H-1, Harbor Justice Center, Newport Beach. Hayes and Johnson were initially arrested and posted $50,000 bail each. Based on the filing of charges today, a $1 million warrant has been issued for their arrest.
Between March 22, 2009, and April 6, 2009, the three defendants are accused of committing a series of robberies in South Orange County. Hayes and Johnson are accused of acting as the get-away drivers for different robberies. Walsh is accused of entering several businesses carrying a realistic-looking replica handgun and demanding money from store employees.
Walsh is accused of ordering several of the employees to move around the store. The defendants are accused of stealing cash, cigarettes, lighters, a knife, and other small items from South Orange County businesses including Jack In The Box, Mobil, Papa John’s, Round Table Pizza, San Clemente Smoke Shop, Shell, Subway, and Wienerschnitzel.
Deputy District Attorney Nick Dourbetas is prosecuting this case.
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