INDUSTRY >> Prosecutors filed charges Friday against three alleged burglars accused of killing an innocent bystander in a car crash while fleeing from deputies in Industry earlier this week, authorities said.
Driver Anthony Michael Quisenberry, 35, of Los Angeles was charged with murder, burglary and assault on a peace officer, Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office spokeswoman Sarah Ardalani said in a written statement.
Co-defendants and passengers Michael Vincent Smyer, 26, of Los Angeles and Charles Allen Archer, 32, of Hawthorne each face charges of burglary, she said.
“f convicted as charged, Quisenberry faces a maximum possible sentence of 31 years to life in state prison, while Allen faces 14 years and Smyer 17 years in state prison,” Ardalani said.
The chain of events began Tuesday afternoon after a witness reported seeing the three men burglarizing a home in the 15200 block of Folger Street in Hacienda Heights.
Deputies found the three suspects riding in a Chevrolet Camaro and began a pursuit when the driver, later identified as Quisenberry, refused to pull over, Los Angeles County sheriff’s officials said.
As the suspects fled, their Camaro crashed into a small SUV at Gale Avenue and Johnson Drive in Industry, killing 66-year-old Rojelio Gonzalez of Bellflower, Lt. Joe Mendoza of the sheriff’s Homicide Bureau said.
“Following the crash, the occupants in the Camaro — Quisenberry, Allen and Smyer — fled from the vehicle, but were later apprehended by sheriff deputies,” Ardalani said.
The three defendants are scheduled to appear in the Pomona branch of Los Angeles County Superior Court Wednesday for arraignment hearings, Ardalani said.
Quisenberry has previously been convicted of burglary twice, as well identity theft and conspiracy to commit a crime, Ardalani said.
Allen has prior convictions for burglary, identity theft and forgery. Smyer also has a previous burglary conviction.
According to county booking records, Quisenberry and Allen were being held in lieu of $1.25 million bail each. Smyer was being held in lieu of $1 million bail.