Suspects face robbery, gang-related charges
The five Somerton men arrested in an armed robbery in Yuma last week were arraigned Monday on two felony charges each.
According to Yuma police, officers responded to the 1200 block of West 20th Place at approximately 2:16 a.m. Thursday in reference to an armed robbery that had just occurred.
The victim reported that he was walking in that area when he came across the suspects, who allegedly robbed him at gunpoint, taking his cell phone and wallet.
Police say the suspects told the victim to walk away from the scene and then fled in a 2005 Chrysler sedan. The victim immediately called the Yuma Police Department, resulting in the suspects' vehicle being quickly located. An officer was in the area when the call came in.
Jose Luis Lopez Jr., 19; Iovany Hernandez, 23; Javier Magdelano, 29; James Torres, 20; and Daniel Baldomero, 20, were arraigned in Yuma Justice Court before Justice of the Peace Gregory Stewart on charges of armed robbery and assisting a criminal street gang.
In addition to ordering their bonds remain at $500,000 for Lopez and $250,000 for Hernandez, Magdelano, Torres and Baldomero, Stewart appointed an attorney from the Yuma County Public Defender's Office to represent them.
The five Somerton men are scheduled to return to court at 4 p.m. Friday for their preliminary hearings.
All five suspects were taken into custody shortly after the robbery and booked into the Yuma County Adult Detention Facility. The victim's property was recovered. They all made their initial appearances in Yuma Justice Court on Thursday afternoon.
James Gilbert can be reached at jgilbert@yumasun.com or 539-6854.
