Earlier this month, police officers responded to a report of a man being assaulted after arranging to sell a $14,000 Rolex via an online marketplace, according to the Costa Mesa Police Department.
The victim had met two suspects and during the transaction, one suspect grabbed the victim’s backpack containing the watch. When the victim resisted, both suspects assaulted him, stole the backpack, and fled in their car.
The Irvine Police Department later located the suspect vehicle and initiated a pursuit, which ended in another city where the car was found unoccupied.
On October 17, CMPD detectives and Special Investigations detectives located and arrested both suspects in San Bernardino County.
The suspects thought they scored a Rolex, instead they scored time behind bars.
The detectives also recovered the stolen Rolex and returned it to its owner.
Legal penalties faced by the suspects
The suspects could face multiple felony charges under California law. Here are the potential penalties:
- Robbery (Penal Code § 211)
- Taking property by force or fear
- Felony offense
- Penalty: 2 to 9 years in state prison depending on circumstances (e.g., use of force, injuries)
- Assault with force likely to cause great bodily injury (Penal Code § 245(a)(4))
- Felony offense
- Penalty: 2 to 4 years in state prison
- Grand theft (Penal Code § 487)
- Theft of property valued over $950 (e.g., $14,000 Rolex)
- Felony offense
- Penalty: up to 3 years in county jail
- Conspiracy to commit a crime (Penal Code § 182)
- If both suspects planned the theft and assault
- Penalty: same as the intended felony (e.g., robbery)
- Evading police (Vehicle Code § 2800.2)
- If the vehicle pursuit involved reckless driving
- Felony offense
- Penalty: 16 months to 3 years in state prison
- Possession of stolen property (Penal Code § 496)
- Felony or misdemeanor depending on value and prior record
- Penalty: up to 3 years in county jail
- Restitution and fines
- Court may order restitution to the victim
- Fines can range from hundreds to thousands of dollars
If weapons were involved or if the victim suffered serious injuries, sentencing enhancements could apply.