Suspect in Robbery Spree : Parolee Pleads Not Guilty to 28 Theft Charges

A man suspected in a spree of residential robberies, including one in which the money and jewels of 14 elderly guests were taken at an Encino dinner party, was charged Friday with robbery, burglary and grand theft auto.

Gregory Glenn Evans, 25, of Los Angeles was charged with 21 counts of residential robbery, four counts of residential burglary, two counts of car theft and one count of being an ex-convict with a gun.

Los Angeles police allege that the robbery and burglary spree began in December, a month after Evans was paroled from state prison. He had been serving time for robbery and grand theft.

Evans, who police say is a gang member, pleaded not guilty to the charges Friday in Van Nuys Municipal Court.

Evans already faced five counts of residential robbery and four counts of burglary, auto theft and assault with a deadly weapon stemming from the robbery spree. He was arrested June 7 and subsequently pleaded not guilty to those charges.

Continuing Investigation

The additional charges were filed as the result of a continuing police investigation, Deputy Dist. Atty. Christine Thurman said.

Commissioner Patricia Gorner Schwartz ordered Evans to return to court July 6 for a preliminary hearing on all 37 charges.

Evans preyed upon residents of posh homes south of Ventura Boulevard in Studio City, Sherman Oaks, Tarzana and Encino, as well as those who lived in West Los Angeles and the Hollywood Hills, police said.

Sgt. Robert C. Harris said Evans and three unnamed juveniles entered the homes through open windows or garage doors, rousing many victims as they slept. After taking cash and jewelry, the thieves usually tied up their victims with bed sheets, he said.

In one instance, 14 elderly people were robbed at gunpoint of their money and jewelry at a March 19 dinner party in Encino, Detective Jim Bryan said.

Getaway Vehicle

The bandits used one party-goer’s car as a getaway vehicle, Thurman said.

Police matched a print found on a stolen car used in one of the robberies to one of Evans’ accomplices, Bryan said. A subsequent investigation led to Evans’ arrest, Bryan said.

Police said the teen-agers are in custody on suspicion of separate, unrelated murders. They have not been charged in the robberies.

Evans, being held in County Jail in lieu of $500,000 bail, could face a maximum of 50 years in prison if convicted, prosecutors said.