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Suspected robbers and would-be robbers arraigned
| Wednesday, Apr 2 2008 10:15 PM
Last Updated: Thursday, Apr 3 2008 8:02 AM
A unique cast of characters can usually be expected during felony arraignments at Kern County Superior Court, and Wednesday was no exception.
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John Fitzgerald Williams arraigned in the Golden West Casino robbery.
Victor Murillo arraigned in Marketplace robbery case.
Emmanuel Villegas arraigned in the Marketplace robbery case.
Lynel Travon Lewis arraigned in Golden West Casino robbery case.
Jajuan Bell arraigned in the Golden West Casino robbery case.
Don Lavell Joseph arraigned in the Golden West Casino robbery case.
Michael Paul Johnson arraigned in the Golden West Casino robbery case.
Miguel Angel Santiago arraigned on charges of attempted murder.
Christian Jesus Diaz-Vargas is pictured during his arraignment for attempted murder charges.
Luis Manuel Vaca Jr. arraigned on charges of attempted murder.
Alfredo Palacios arraigned on charges of attempted murder.
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Many of the suspects Wednesday had one thing in common: They were accused of robbery or attempted robbery.
CASINO ROBBERY SUSPECTS
Three groups of people were charged in connection with three separate incidents involving robbery or attempted robbery at the 3 p.m. proceedings. The defendants included five members of the Los Angeles Crips who deputies say were going to rob Golden West Casino early Monday. All defendants pleaded not guilty.
Charged with the attempted robbery of the casino were Lynel Travon Lewis, 31; Michael Paul Johnson, 23; John Fitzgerald Williams, 19; Jajuan Bell, 29; and Don Lavell Joseph, 24. Other charges included participation in a criminal street gang and conspiring to commit a crime.
The men had the courtroom to themselves as Judge Michael Lewis arraigned them separately from the rest of the defendants. Eleven deputies were stationed in the courtroom, and several members of the Sheriff’s Department gang unit watched the proceedings.
Each defendant was ordered held on $5 million bail.
WOMAN DRAGGED BY CAR
While that robbery was prevented, a customer at the Marketplace on Saturday evening wasn’t so lucky when two Bakersfield residents stole her purse, according to police.
The victim, a 62-year-old woman, suffered minor injuries when a car pulled up next to her, a man inside grabbed her purse and the vehicle sped off, dragging her a short distance.
Victor Murillo, 25, was charged with second-degree robbery and assault with a deadly weapon other than a gun in the incident. Emmanuel
Villegas, 22, was charged with second-degree robbery, grand theft from a person and providing false identification to peace officers.
BLUFFS ROBBERY
Finally, Juan Carlos Toledo, 18, and Isidro Chilo Torres, 19, were arraigned in connection with an armed robbery on Panorama Bluffs on Sunday.
Charges included second-degree robbery and participating in a criminal street gang.