The alleged getaway driver in 11 robberies and attempted robberies in Hillcrest and elsewhere will face a Feb. 20 preliminary hearing. The crimes all occurred Feb. 2 to pedestrians in Hillcrest, Ocean Beach, Golden Hill, Mission Beach, UCSD, and the Midtown area.
Benjamin Hernandez, 23, pleaded not guilty Feb. 5 before San Diego Superior Court Judge David Szumowski, who set bail at $500,000. A witness wrote down the license plate number of the getaway car and traced it to Hernandez’s home in National City.
“In two or three of the robberies, guns were actually held to the heads of the victims,” said Deputy District Attorney Dan Link to the judge. “This driver was identified by his license plate.”
Two more suspects are being sought by San Diego Police. Some victims were struck with a crowbar. The first robbery happened about 6:50 p.m. on Cape May Avenue near Cable Street in Ocean Beach and another followed on Newport Avenue.
A hold-up was reported at Kettner Blvd. and Sassafras Street at 7:15 p.m. and another robbery at First Ave. and Washington Street occurred at 7:30 p.m. in Hillcrest. Others occurred in the Midtown area, Mission Beach and two students were held up at UCSD in La Jolla. The wallets and cell phones were taken from each victim.
Hernandez has another hearing on Feb. 18. He remains in the George Bailey Detention Facility.
