Local News in Brief : Sentencing Scheduled in Bungled Robbery

Sentencing has been scheduled June 4 for a 31-year-old Tarzana man who was convicted of masterminding the bungled robbery of $230,000 from the Renaissance Pleasure Faire in Agoura almost two years ago.

After deliberating for two days, a Van Nuys jury Friday found Jeffrey Messinger guilty of robbery, but acquitted his wife, Andrea, 27, of charges that she was an accessory to the crime.

Police said that Jeffrey Messinger, a jewelery manufacturer, planned the robbery, which was carried out by two other men on June 13, 1983.

The two, wearing masks and carrying shotguns, followed a Renaissance Pleasure Faire security guard carrying proceeds to the bank and forced him to hand over $230,000, police said.

But, before driving away, one of the men tripped and dropped two bank deposit bags containing $190,000, police said.

On an anonymous tip, police arrested Russell White, 34, of Canoga Park, and Edward Shelton, 35, of Simi Valley. Both were charged with the robbery. The two later implicated the Messingers, said Deputy Dist. Atty. Robert McIntosh.

White and Shelton pleaded guilty to being accessories to the robbery. White has been sentenced to three years in prison. Sentencing for Shelton is scheduled for Thursday.

Messinger could receive a a maximum prison term of seven years, McIntosh said.