A 21-year-old South Los Angeles man faces life in federal prison after an alleged armed robbery between August and September.
The U.S. 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 Wednesday. Court records detail at least three armed robberies and one attempted armed robbery in LA County and Orange County.
“These are violent crimes that terrorize not only their intended targets, but our community as a whole, making shoppers think twice about whether a visit to the mall will erupt in gunfire,” said Kimberly Edds, spokesperson for the office of the public prosecutor.
The wave started on August 25 in Gardena, outside the Hustler Casino. Investigators allege Pollard ran over a woman in the parking lot, pushed her to the ground and put a gun in her mouth after she started screaming for help. The gun broke the woman’s teeth. According to the Justice Department, Pollard allegedly threatened to kill the woman if she did not stop screaming before stealing at least $1,000 from the victim’s wallet.
The string of armed robberies continued the next morning when Pollard and an accomplice robbed a cab driver in the parking lot of a donut shop in Carson.
US DOJ
Later that day, Pollard allegedly traveled to Fashion Island in Newport Beach and held two drivers at gunpoint outside 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 bullet at the luxury car, nearly hitting the driver, the DOJ said.
The last armed robbery investigators linked to Pollard occurred on September 22 in a parking lot at the South Coast Plaza shopping center in Costa Mesa. When the victim refused to hand over his belongings, Pollard allegedly shot the man in the left hand and 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,” said United States Attorney Martin Estrada. “It is essential that we hold perpetrators of violence accountable for victimizing our community.”
If convicted on all charges, Pollard faces a statutory maximum sentence of life in federal prison.
