Look-Alike’s Confession Frees Convicted Friend

A twice-convicted felon in jail awaiting sentencing for a third conviction--of a purse snatching --was freed last week after a friend of his confessed to the crime.

Joey A. Munoz, 26, of Santa Ana, could have faced anywhere from two to 17 1/2 years in prison for the robbery, because of his two prior felony convictions. He was scheduled to be sentenced next month.

But a friend, Robert Gonzalez, 28, of Santa Ana, pleaded guilty to the robbery Tuesday. He was sentenced to two years in prison.

Mario Gonzalez, 19, his younger brother, had pleaded guilty last year to involvement in the April, 1984, robbery, but had implicated Munoz as his partner in the crime.

Munoz was convicted in the purse-snatching last October after he was identified by the victim and another witness as one of two men involved.

But last week, Robert Gonzalez told police it was he, not Munoz, who helped his younger brother in the crime.

Munoz and Robert Gonzalez have a similar appearance, including similar tattoos, said Deputy Dist. Atty. Pete Huelsenbeck. Robert Gonzalez apparently confessed because his conscience bothered him that he was responsible for sending his friend Munoz back to prison, authorities said.

“We’re convinced it was Robert Gonzalez who was involved,” Huelsenbeck said.