| For Immediate Release Case # 09ZF0073 May 25, 2012 |
Susan Kang Schroeder Chief of Staff Office: 714-347-8408 Cell: 714-292-2718 Farrah Emami
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TWO SAN DIEGO GANG MEMBERS SENTENCED FOR CRIME SPREE ROBBERIES IN TWO ORANGE COUNTY JEWELRY STORES
*Nine co-defendants have been convicted in this case
WESTMINSTER – The last two of 12 defendants from a North San Diego County criminal street gang were sentenced today for their role in a 2009 crime spree involving the armed robbery of two Orange County jewelry stores, identity theft, and street terrorism. Michael Burgin, 32, and Adam Weick, 31, were found guilty by a jury Jan. 9, 2012.
Burgin was sentenced today to 90 years to life in state prison following a conviction for two felony counts each of second degree robbery, second degree commercial burglary, and street terrorism, with sentencing enhancements for criminal street gang activity, the vicarious use of a firearm by a gang member, and two prior strike convictions for first degree burglaries in 1999 and 2002.
Weick was sentenced today to 21 years in state prison following a conviction for one felony count each of second degree robbery, second degree commercial burglary, and street terrorism, with sentencing enhancements for criminal street gang activity, the vicarious use of a firearm by a gang member, and a prior strike for kidnapping in 2005.
Two cases involved 12 defendants, all residents of San Diego County, and was jointly investigated by the Laguna Beach Police Department (LBPD), Tustin Police Department (TPD) and Orange County District Attorney’s Office with assistance from the Orange County and San Diego County Sheriff’s Departments, Chula Vista and Oceanside Police Departments, and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.
Co-Defendants
Aida Arroyo, 30, pleaded guilty mid-jury trial on Jan. 5, 2012, to one felony count each of second degree robbery, second degree commercial burglary, and street terrorism, with sentencing enhancements for criminal street gang activity and the vicarious use of a firearm by a gang member. She was sentenced April 20, 2012, to 12 years in state prison.
Salvador Barajas, 32, pleaded guilty Feb. 5, 2010, to one felony count each of receiving stolen property and street terrorism and was sentenced to 225 days in jail and three years of probation.
Touradj Barman, 69, pleaded guilty March 19, 2010, to one misdemeanor count of a pawnbroker failing to report receipt of property and was sentenced to one year of probation and a $10,000 payment to the Victim Witness Emergency Fund.
Sylvia Elena Castaneda, 31, pleaded guilty June 20, 2011, to one felony count of second degree robbery with a sentencing enhancement for criminal street gang activity and was sentenced to five years in state prison.