Countywide
A man charged with holding up 17 businesses, mostly Blockbuster video stores, pleaded guilty Thursday to 14 counts of armed robbery.
Roberto Cruz Loza, 31, of San Diego changed his plea just before his preliminary hearing was to begin.
Municipal Judge Charles Patrick then set sentencing for March 29. Loza faces a maximum sentence of 33 years in state prison and a $20,000 fine.
The robberies ranged from San Marcos to National City, and lasted from Sept. 26 to Dec. 26. All but one of the stores were Blockbusters.
Deputy Dist. Atty. Steve Anear had subpoenaed 24 witnesses to testify Thursday and today for the preliminary hearing. He said Loza had a prior conviction for robbery and was released on parole last April.
Loza remains in County Jail in lieu of $250,000 bail.
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