Crime & Safety
Monaco Jewelers Robbery: Case of Mistaken Identity?
Attorneys for two of the five men charged with the crime say witnesses may have trouble identifying the suspects. One of them wasn't even there, his lawyer said.
Lawyers for two of the men charged with the last year said the Orange County District Attorney’s office may have the wrong guys.
“The question is whether or not there is sufficient evidence to establish whether all the men participated in the crime,” said Los Angeles-based defense attorney Wayne Phillip Higgins.
According to the DA, seven men drove to the Capistrano Beach area June 24 with the intention of robbing the jewelry store near the on Doheny Park Road. Five left alive.
Find out what's happening in San Clementewith free, real-time updates from Patch.
After being held at gunpoint, two employees shot and killed two suspects, according to accounts previously released by law enforcement officials.
As of September, the with the crime: George Anthony Boozer, 39, and Alan Keith Hunter, 35 of Moreno Valley and Gardena residents James Stephan Paschall, 35, and Eddie Allan Clark, 27.
Find out what's happening in San Clementewith free, real-time updates from Patch.
On Nov. 3, they added Eddie Allen Clark, Sr., said Farrah Emami, DA spokeswoman.
Four of the five – everyone but Boozer – were in court Tuesday for a second arraignment. It was continued until April 3.
Patch made a request to photograph the defendants in court, but the four attorneys representing them said that because witnesses’ ability to identify the perpetrators may be called into question, they opposed the request.
After the hearing (the judge agreed with the attorneys, so no new photos) attorney Michael Curls, who represents Hunter, told Patch: “Identity is going to be a big part of this case. My guy wasn’t there.”
Higgins agreed that identity will play a key role, especially because the suspects wore masks.
Senior Deputy District Attorney Scott Simmons, who is prosecuting the case, said he expects a trial before the end of the year.
“It will go to trial. It’s just a matter of when,” he said.
Investigators believe Robert Earl Avery, 39, was buzzed into the store first, then pushed his pistol in the stomach of the store's manager. Another employee armed himself with a handgun and fired at Avery, who fell to the floor at the rear of the jewelry store.
Then Desmond Brown, 39, and the younger Clark reportedly entered the store to help Avery, at which time the armed employee fired at Brown, striking him in the upper torso, authorities have said. When Brown continued forward, despite being wounded, another store employee grabbed a handgun and fired at him. He fell to the showroom floor.
Clark then allegedly fled and got into a stolen get-away car driven by Paschall, authorities have said.
