Two men involved in the robbery of a Gardena 7-Eleven convenience store earlier this year received prison sentences.
Jose Luis Ramirez, a 22-year-old alleged gang member, was sentenced to seven years in prison. Luis Antonio Gutierrez, 22, an associate of Ramirez, received a 5-year sentence.
The robbery took place Jan. 20 at the 7-Eleven on Vermont Avenue, near 168th Street.
Two men involved in the robbery of a Gardena 7-Eleven convenience store earlier this year received prison sentences.
Jose Luis Ramirez, a 22-year-old alleged gang member, was sentenced to seven years in prison. Luis Antonio Gutierrez, 22, an associate of Ramirez, received a 5-year sentence.
The robbery took place Jan. 20 at the 7-Eleven on Vermont Avenue, near 168th Street.
Both men pleaded no contest to the robbery and attempted robbery charges, thus avoiding a trial. Judge Mark Arnold passed down the sentence Aug. 1 in Torrance Superior Court, following a plea deal between the prosecutors and the men, as reported by the Daily Breeze.
The men robbed the store at 3:45 a.m., following a botched robbery attempt of a victim in the parking lot. Inside the store, Ramirez wielded a knife and jumped the counter. Gutierrez acted as a lockout, according to Deputy District Attorney Jennifer Turk.
Ramirez forced the clerk to the floor, then ordered the clerk to his feet when the cash register would not open. After taking the money, Ramirez again forced the clerk down to the floor.
A witness outside phoned the police, who arrived immediately at the scene, the Breeze reported. The men fled across the street, when police confronted them.
Gutierrez was still armed with the knife and refused to drop the weapon, according to the police report. He was shot once in the abdomen by an officer.
Both men were arrested, while Gutierrez was transported to a hospital for treatment.
