Closing Arguments Wrap Up In Valley Robbery Spree Case

KESQ.com News Services

INDIO -Attorneys for two men accused of robbing around 30 people during a crime spree in the Coachella Valley told jurors today not to assume the defendants are guilty because of the number of counts against them.

George Gomez Jr. and Raul Pardo Avina, both 36, are each charged with 33 felony counts, including armed robbery, attempted robbery, grand theft and burglary.

In his closing argument, Gomez’s attorney, Jim Silva, asked the five-woman, seven-man jury to consider each count against his client and weigh the evidence before coming to a conclusion.

“Each count stands alone. Do not say, well, because he did that one, he did this one,” Silva said.

He argued the prosecution did not present sufficient evidence to prove Gomez was involved in several of the crimes, including the robbery of Jesus Sustaita in Coachella in June 2006.

Sustaita was putting his lunch in his truck in front of his home when he was robbed of $220.

Gomez did not admit to that robbery during an interview with police, his attorney said.

“There were no statements from Mr. Gomez,” Silva said. “(The prosecution) did not have any ID as to Mr. Gomez’s vehicle.”

Avina’s attorney, Arnold Lieman, also cautioned jurors to remember that “each case stand alone.”

Lieman argued the prosecution did not prove beyond a reasonable doubt that Avina used force in robbing Prizma Jewelers on Grapefruit Boulevard in Coachella.

Avina is accused of entering the store on April 26, 2006, and asking to buy $2,500 in gold bracelets.

When the clerk packaged the jewelry in a box, Avina allegedly grabbed the merchandise and ran out the door. A sales clerk, Ana Ramirez, tried to stop Avina, who pushed her as he fled, according to the prosecution.

The defense attorney argued that another store employee, not Ramirez, testified about the employee being pushed.

“It was unclear whether he was trying to get away from her or trying to push her down,” Lieman said, telling jurors that robbery cannot be proved without an element of force.

Deputy District Attorney Deana Bohenek said in her closing argument Wednesday that the defendants’ crime spree started in May 2006 with robberies from Palm Springs to Mecca.

The pair would confront people in front of their homes, at shopping centers and as they went to work and returned, Bohenek said.

“They would rack (the gun) all the time, making the people fear they would be shot right then and there,” she said.

The defendants confessed to most of the robberies after detectives searched their home and found a bucket filled with IDs and credit cards taken from their victims, according to the prosecutor.

It’s the second trial for the defendants. Riverside County Superior Court Judge Randall White declared a mistrial in July because of juror misconduct.