Known gang member pleads not guilty to armed robbery charges

A known gang member from Mecca pleads not guilty to charges stemming from his alleged role in a violent armed robbery.

27-year old Rafeal Murua is charged with two counts of armed robbery and being an accessory after the fact.

It happened March 13th at Reyes Market in North Shore near the Salton Sea. Another suspect 21-year old Jacob Lee Couie is charged with two counts of robbery and assault with a deadly weapon causing great bodily injury.

Police say a Market employee had to be hospitalized after suffering major injuries. Both suspects face several allegations including gang involvement.

Couie is held on 75-thousand dollars bail and Murua on $56,000 bail.