Los Angeles man federally charged in armed robbery spree outside malls and casino
A 21-year-old man from South Los Angeles faces the possibility of life in federal prison after an alleged armed robbery spree between August and September.
The US Attorney's Office charged Oshae Pollard with interference with commerce under the Hobbs Act and use of a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence after investigators tracked him down on Wednesday. Court documents outlined at least three armed robberies and one attempted armed robbery in LA County and Orange County.
"These are crimes of violence that not only terrorize the intended targets but our community as a whole, making shoppers think twice about whether a trip to the mall will erupt in gunfire," said Kimberly Edds, spokesperson at the OC District Attorney's office.
The spree began in Gardena on August 25 outside of the Hustler Casino. Investigators claim that Pollard rushed a woman in the parking lot, pushed her to the ground and stuck a pistol into her mouth after she started shouting for help. The handgun broke the woman's teeth. Pollard allegedly threatened to kill the woman if she didn't stop yelling before stealing at least $1,000 from the victim's purse, according to the Justice Department.
The string of armed robberies continued the following morning when Pollard and an accomplice robbed a taxi driver in a donut shop parking lot in Carson.
Later that day, Pollard allegedly traveled down to Fashion Island in Newport Beach and held two drivers at gunpoint outside of their Rolls-Royce and Ferrari cars. While one of the victims handed over a luxury watch, wallet and keys to the Rolls-Royce, the other driver started his Ferrari and drove away.
During the escape, Pollard allegedly fired a round at the luxury car and nearly hit the driver, according to the DOJ.
The last armed robbery investigators connected to Pollard happened on September 22 in a parking lot at South Coast Plaza shopping mall in Costa Mesa. When the victim refused to hand over his belongings, Pollard allegedly shot the man in the left hand and the left thigh. Despite the gunshot wounds, the victim fought back and kicked Pollard to the ground before getting into his car and driving away. The victim survived the gunshot wounds.
"The violence alleged in this complaint shocks the conscience," United States Attorney Martin Estrada said. "It is essential that we hold perpetrators of violence accountable for victimizing our community."
If convicted on all charges, Pollard would face a statutory maximum sentence of life in federal prison.
