2 Plead Not Guilty in String of Robberies

Two Van Nuys men accused of committing a series of crimes in the San Fernando Valley in the last month pleaded innocent Tuesday to 21 counts of robbery, kidnaping for the purpose of robbery and car theft.

The men, Michael Murphy, 24, and Wilbur McClure, 29, entered their pleas in Van Nuys Municipal Court before Judge Patricia Schwartz, who scheduled a preliminary hearing for Dec. 13.

Murphy was arrested at his apartment last Wednesday after Los Angeles police spotted a stolen car parked in front of the residence, Detective John Phillips said.

Murphy was charged with 10 counts of robbery, the first of which occurred Nov. 3, two counts of kidnaping for the purpose of robbery, four counts of car theft and one count of assault, Deputy Dist. Atty. Michelle R. Rosenblatt said.

McClure, who had been on parole after serving time for burglary, was arrested Monday in a parked car in Van Nuys, Phillips said. He is charged with two counts of robbery, one count of kidnaping for the purpose of robbery and one count of car theft, Rosenblatt said.

Both men are being held at Los Angeles County Central Jail, Murphy in lieu of $100,000 bail and McClure in lieu of $36,000 bail.

Both suspects have extensive criminal records and could face life sentences if convicted on the kidnaping counts, Phillips said.

Detective Rockey Kennedy said Murphy and McClure worked together in the crimes, which included several robberies in which they forced women into their cars, robbed them, abandoned them several miles from where they were abducted and stole their cars.

The other robberies occurred at an upholstery store and a clothing store, both in Van Nuys, and a doughnut shop in Panorama City.

Weapons--including guns, knives and hammers--were used in all the robberies, although none of the victims was seriously injured, Kennedy said.