Published on: December 6, 2024, 08:22h.
Last updated on: December 6, 2024, 08:22h.
A man accused of threatening, assaulting, and stealing from a woman in the parking lot outside California’s Hustler Casino has been apprehended on multiple charges this week.
Oshae Pollard, 21, of Los Angeles, has been charged with aggressively robbing the victim at the Gardena cardroom on August 25, authorities reported.
Pollard saw the woman in the parking lot and charged towards her. He then allegedly pushed her to the ground.
Victim Suffers Severe Injuries
The victim refused to give up her purse and called for assistance, according to prosecutors.
There was a struggle over the purse. Pollard then reportedly brandished a semi-automatic pistol and placed it in the victim’s mouth.
As a result, several of her teeth were broken.
If you scream again, I will end your life,” Pollard allegedly threatened the victim,” prosecutors disclosed.
Pollard managed to grab the purse and quickly retreated to a nearby vehicle before fleeing, authorities said.
The purse contained between $1K and $2K in cash at the time.
This robbery was just one of many armed robberies in which he participated in parking lots in Los Angeles and Orange counties in California, as per prosecutors.
Pollard is facing charges of interfering with commerce by robbery and using a firearm in the commission of a violent crime. He appeared in Santa Ana federal court on Wednesday. If found guilty, he could receive a prison term.
The violent acts detailed in this complaint are deeply disturbing,” stated Martin Estrada, US Attorney for the Central District of California, in a release.
“It is imperative that we hold perpetrators of violence accountable for victimizing our community. My office, through the Operation Safe Cities program, is teaming up with local law enforcement and leveraging potent federal resources to target the most heinous offenders of violent gun crimes.”
Between August 25 and September 22, Pollard committed at least three armed robberies and one attempted armed robbery, according to Estrada.
On August 26, Pollard and an associate allegedly robbed a taxi driver inside a cab at Winchell’s Donut House parking lot in Carson. The driver was assaulted and held at gunpoint. They allegedly took his wallet and phone.
Also on the same day, Pollard and an accomplice supposedly robbed two individuals near their Rolls-Royce and Ferrari vehicles in the Fashion Island shopping complex parking lot in Newport Beach, prosecutors said.
Pollard reportedly pointed a semi-automatic pistol at one victim near the Rolls-Royce and demanded all their money. The victim handed over a luxury watch, wallet, and car keys.
When the other victim tried to drive away in the Ferrari, Pollard ran towards the vehicle and fired shots into it, although the victim was not harmed.
The stolen items at the shopping center were valued at approximately $44K in total.
Brave Victim Fights Back
On September 22, Pollard also robbed a man entering a vehicle parked at the South Coast Plaza shopping mall in Costa Mesa, authorities shared.
Give me the watch. Give me the ring. Give me the car,” Pollard reportedly demanded from the victim.
The man refused, prompting Pollard to shoot him in the left hand and then aim the gun at the man’s chest, prosecutors alleged.
He then made a chilling threat, saying, “You’re as good as dead,” as stated by prosecutors.
Subsequently, Pollard shot the man in the left thigh as the victim started to remove his watch.
Instead of surrendering, the victim fought back by kicking Pollard, who fell to the ground from the blows. For about 15 seconds, the victim managed to kick Pollard multiple times.
Afterwards, Pollard ran to a nearby Kia Forte and fled, prosecutors confirmed.
The victim received medical attention for the gunshot wounds and later recovered, prosecutors added.