| For Immediate Release Case # 08WF2072
October 21, 2008 |
Susan Kang Schroeder Public Affairs Counsel Office: 714-347-8408 Cell: 714-292-2718 Farrah Emami |
TWO JUVENILE GANG MEMBERS CHARGED AS ADULTS FOR ATTACKING 86-YEAR-OLD WOMAN WHO WAS WALKING TO BUS STOP
*Defendants are members of enjoined Santa Ana criminal street gang
WESTMINSTER – Two juvenile gang members have been charged as adults for attacking an 86-year-old woman and stealing her purse as she walked to a Fountain Valley bus stop. Eric Damion Luna, 17, and Ivan Bautista, 16, are charged with one felony count of robbery, one felony count of elder abuse, and a sentencing enhancement for criminal street gang activity. Luna is also charged with one felony count of street terrorism and one misdemeanor count of resisting an officer. Luna faces a maximum sentence of 16 years and eight months in state prison if convicted and Bautista faces a maximum of 16 years. Luna is being held on $150,000 bail and Bautista is being held on $100,000 bail. The defendants were arraigned today and are scheduled for a pre-trial hearing on Oct. 23, 2008, at 8:30 a.m. in Department W-15, West Justice Center, Westminster.
Luna is named as a gang member in the 2006 injunction against a Santa Ana criminal street gang. Bautista is an associate of the gang, but is not named in the injunction.
At approximately 10:45 a.m. on Oct. 20, 2008, 86-year-old Jane Doe was walking to a bus stop on Newhope Street in Fountain Valley. Luna and Bautista are accused of approaching the victim and blocking her path to prevent her from passing. Jane Doe attempted to walk around the defendants. Once she had passed, Luna and Bautista are accused of grabbing Jane Doe’s purse, struggling with the victim, hitting her, and knocking the 4’10”, 85-pound victim to the ground. The defendants are accused of fleeing the scene with Jane Doe’s purse containing cash, jewelry, identification, and other personal items.
Witnesses called 9-1-1 and Jane Doe was transported to the hospital to be treated for head injuries. The victim stated that she didn’t hold on to her purse because she was afraid the defendants would have hurt her more if she didn’t let go. The Fountain Valley Police Department located the defendants hiding in a nearby yard approximately 30 minutes after the attack. When officers arrived, Luna is accused of attempting to run and flee from police.
Senior Deputy District Attorney Paul Chrisopoulos of the TARGET Unit is prosecuting this case.
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