A man and woman in their 20s were charged Wednesday with a combined total of 25 felonies related to multiple street robberies committed in Long Beach earlier this year, according to the Long Beach Police Department (LBPD).
Los Angeles resident Miguel Angel Giron, 22, and Wilmington woman Daisy Uzarraga, 25, were arrested by a patrol officer on February 7 for their alleged involvement in the robberies, a release stated.
Officials said between January 18, 2016 and February 5, 2016, a male and female suspect robbed multiple victims of their belongings.
“The suspects armed with a knife would approach unsuspecting pedestrians and demand money, and personal items from them,” according to the release.
None of the victims were injured during the robberies.
Giron and Uzarraga were identified as the two possible suspects in the incidents by patrol officers and Robbery and Gang Enforcement detectives who analyzed the evidence, officials stated.
LBPD detectives presented the case to the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office on February 9 and six felony counts of robbery were filed on each suspect, who were arraigned the same day.
Giron was held on $405,000 bail and Uzarraga held on $300,000 bail.
While the suspects remained in custody, detectives continued their investigation and found more robberies they believed the suspects committed.
On February 18 detectives presented the remaining cases to the district attorney’s office and on February 24 the complaint was amended, with Giron now charged with nine counts of robbery, three counts of criminal threats, one count of assault with a deadly weapon and one count of attempted robbery. Uzarraga was charged with 10 counts of robbery and one count of criminal threats.
Giron’s bail was increased to $605,000 and Uzarraga’s bail increased to $400,000, officials stated.
Both defendants are in Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department custody and are expected to return to the Long Beach Superior Court on March 9 at 8:30AM in Department J.
Residents are reminded to be aware of their surroundings at all times and follow @LBPDrobbery for weekly crime prevention tips.
Anyone who may have been a victim of a street robbery by the defendants is urged to contact the Robbery Detectives at 562.570.7464. Anyone wishing to remain anonymous may call 1.800.222.TIPS (8477), or text TIPLA plus your tip to 274637 (CRIMES), or visit http://www.lacrimestoppers.org./.