Trial nears close for men charged in string of armed robberies

RANCHO CUCAMONGA -- The prosecution rested its case today in the trial of two men charged with committing a string of armed robberies two years ago across the Inland Valley.

Jose Antonio Rivera, 36, and Cruz Rodriguez Vasquez, 25, are accused of robbing 20 businesses -- from Pomona to Fontana -- between June 2009 and October 2009.

The men primarily targeted mobile phone stores such as Metro PCS. Half the robberies occurred in Ontario, said Ontario police Detective Roger Planas, who testified today to conclude the prosecution's case.

Rivera, of Ontario, and Vasquez, of El Monte, were arrested after committing a robbery in Upland on Oct. 8, 2009 when an officer saw their car in the area and realized it matched the description of the getaway car used in prior robberies, Planas said.

Both men confessed to committing several robberies in interviews with detectives following their arrest, Planas testified.

"(Vasquez) told me he's been unemployed and he has a 20-year-old girlfriend he has a 5-year-old son with," Planas testified. "He has to help provide for the 5-year-old boy and the 20-year-old girlfriend, and he has bills to pay."

Jurors are expected to begin deliberating next week in West Valley Superior Court after attorneys in the case deliver closing arguments.

During the robberies, Rivera was armed with a handgun, while Vasquez acted as the getaway driver, said Deputy District Attorney Deborah Ploghaus.

The men, who met through work in Chino, stole on average about $700 from each store, with the highest yield being about $1,200, Planas said.

In addition to the 10 robberies in Ontario, Rivera and Vasquez committed robberies in Pomona, Claremont, Montclair, Upland, Rancho Cucamonga and Fontana, Ploghaus and Planas said.

The stores they robbed include Islas Tropical Fruits in Ontario, Aloha Grill in Upland, a Chevron gas station in Claremont, Red Hill gas station in Rancho Cucamonga, and a Zap Wireless store in Upland.

Rivera is charged with 28 counts of robbery and seven counts of attempted robbery. Vasquez is charged with 27 counts of robbery and eight counts of attempted robbery.