A 28-count felony complaint with charges that could mean multiple life sentences for three young defendants was filed today in connection with Monday's takeover robbery at a Culver City Target, the District Attorney's office announced. SA 040374 with 14 counts of kidnapping for robbery, nine counts of robbery, three counts of assault with a deadly weapon and two counts of attempted robbery. It also was alleged each of the defendants used a handgun during commission of the crimes. All three appeared this afternoon before Judge Rosemary Shumsky of the Airport Branch Court. The two adults pleaded not guilty and were scheduled to return to court on Nov. 21 for setting of a preliminary hearing date.
All defendants remain in custody.
Samuels and Laron Bass were arrested outside the store in the 10800 block of Jefferson Boulevard early Nov. 6 when they tried to pretend to be hostages who were being released. The teenager was arrested later in the day when authorities found him hiding in a nearby creek. Police said the gunmen entered the store around 4 a.m. during a shift change. Even though the store was closed to the public, it was filled with Target employees and managers who were stocking shelves and getting ready for the day's business. Police said approximately 60 Target workers were held hostage.