Alleged Cell Phone Robber, Buddy Plead Not Guilty

Two men pleaded not guilty Monday to second-degree robbery charges stemming from two crimes in Long Beach.

Zachery James Pati, 21, of Long Beach, is charged with two counts of second-degree robbery, and co-defendant Julian Carvajal, 20, also of Long Beach, is facing a single count, according to the District Attorney’s Office.

Early on the afternoon of Oct. 11, Pati and Carvajal allegedly entered a business in the 4400 block of Atlantic Avenue, jumped behind the counter and verbally threatened an employee before taking unspecified items and fleeing the scene.

Pati was already a suspect in an Aug. 15 robbery in the 3300 block of East Seventh Street. Police allege Pati answered an online ad offering a cell phone for sale, met the seller and shoved her to the pavement before running off with her phone.

Both men were arrested on Oct. 22. A warrant search turned up evidence related to the crimes, police said.

Pati is being held in lieu of $100,000 bail and Carvajal in lieu of $50,000. They are due back in court Nov. 2, when a date is expected to be set for a preliminary hearing.

Long Beach police warned online sellers to be wary, especially of buyers who are out of the area. They suggested accepting only cash to avoid fraudulent payments, meeting only during daylight hours in a public place and taking a friend along to any potential sale to avoid danger.

City News Service