Opinion ID: 844274
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Robbery of Beatriz Addo

Text: On the morning of October 13, 1992, Beatriz Addo was working alone at the LaBargain Grocery, which she owned with her husband. The store was located in an alley near the intersection of Van Ness Avenue and West El Segundo Boulevard, in Gardena. Sometime between 10:00 and 11:00 a.m., Addo was talking with a neighbor when defendant rode up on a bicycle. He parked outside, walked in, and asked if either woman wanted to buy the bike. When they declined, he asked about a brand of shaving cream. Although Addo said they did not carry the brand, defendant searched the store's shelves for it. He then asked if Addo could give him a job. Addo promised to check with her husband, and defendant wrote down the name Robert William, a telephone number, and the address 1202 Denker, Apt. #10. He left, and the visiting neighbor left soon thereafter. About five minutes later, Addo was alone. Defendant returned and walked toward the display shelves. Defendant then grabbed Addo from behind and pushed her toward the bathroom. Addo felt something pricking her in the back. Defendant ordered her to sit on the toilet, but instead she knelt to pray. Defendant left, closing the door behind him. Addo heard the ring of the cash register opening. After about 10 minutes of silence, Addo emerged to find the telephone line had been cut and the cash register left open. Approximately $60 had been taken, along with an envelope containing $600 in rent money, which had been stored underneath the register. Addo had small cuts and scratches on her back but did not require medical attention. Addo described the robber as a Black man of average weight, with short hair and two to three days' growth of beard. He wore long dark pants and a black T-shirt. In June 1993, Addo picked defendant's picture from a six-photo lineup, and in October 1993, she identified him in a live lineup. She also identified him at both the preliminary hearing and trial.