Suspect In RivCo Cannabis Store Robbery Pleads 'Not Guilty'

BLYTHE, CA — A teenager pleaded not guilty Tuesday to three felony counts for allegedly breaking into and burglarizing a cannabis business in Blythe.

Augustine Hernandez III, 18, pleaded not guilty to burglary, conspiracy to commit a crime and vandalism Tuesday morning at the Blythe Courthouse, according to court records.

Co-defendant Tomas Diaz Calderon, 18, was charged with the same counts and pleaded not guilty on Aug. 12.

Both suspects posted $10,000 bail and were released from Blythe Jail in August.

Officers responded at around 3 a.m. on Aug. 10 to an activated burglary alarm at a licensed commercial cannabis business in the 1800 block of East Hobsonway in Blythe, police said. Upon arrival, they found that the front glass door of the business was smashed and the store manager indicated that merchandise was taken.

Four suspects were found within 30 minutes after police watched a surveillance video, and officers found evidence connecting them to the burglary, according to police.

The names of the other two suspects were not released because they are juveniles.