Felon Tied to Robbery Series in San Fernando Valley NR12357pv

UPDATE

The earlier release incorrectly referred to Gonzalez as an “early release” under the AB 109 PRCS program.  The updated release will more accurately characterize Gonzalez’ release under the terms of the AB 109 bill.  

Los Angeles:  Francisco Gonzalez, Jr., 39, was arrested Tuesday night, July 24, 2012, after leading LAPD officers on a short pursuit in a stolen vehicle.  That stolen Ford Fusion was taken from a store clerk during the robbery of a Metro PCS store in Panorama City, earlier that same night.

“This was not Gonzalez’s first pursuit, first robbery, nor first brush with the law,” said Lt. Paul Vernon, commanding officer of the Mission Detective Division.  And since this arrest, we have tied Gonzalez to five other recent store robberies across the San Fernando Valley.”

Witnesses in six recent robberies including a; Radio Shack, a Mexican restaurant, a recycling business, appliance repair shop, and two Metro PCS stores have picked Gonzalez out of photo line-ups for two of the robberies in Reseda and Mission Hills.  Gonzalez’s loot was cash and cell phones.

Gonzales was released from prison under the Post Release Community Supervision program (PRCS) in February of this year.  He qualified for PRCS based on the 2008 non-violent conviction for taking police on a pursuit in 2008.  The weapon violation in the case was dismissed as part of the plea negotiation.  An 8-count, 13-year sentence in 1999 for robbery was not considered in his qualification into the PRCS program.

Gonzalez had contact earlier this month with LAPD on July 4th for altering his car registration and with CHP on July 12th in Newhall for disorderly conduct.

“So the community got a career robber released under toothless parole conditions,” Lt. Vernon said.  “And just as the leopard does not change his spots, Gonzalez went right back to his MO, robbing and evading police.”

The area policed by the Mission Area Police Station has seen 146 convicts released into the area this year.  Twenty of those convicts have been arrested at least one time, for a total of 32 arrests.  Only two of the 20 persons have had their probation violated with a 10-day, flash incarceration.  

During non-business hours or on weekends, calls should be directed to 1-877-LAPD-24-7 (877-527-3247).  Anyone wishing to remain anonymous should call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (800-222-8477). Tipsters may also contact Crime Stoppers by texting to phone number 274637 (C-R-I-M-E-S on most keypads) with a cell phone.  All text messages should begin with the letters “LAPD.”  Tipsters may also go to LAPDOnline.org, click on "webtips" and follow the prompts.