REDONDO BEACH : Trial Ordered in Pizza Theft That Could Draw Life Term
A convicted felon who allegedly stole a slice of pizza from four children in Redondo Beach has been ordered to stand trial on robbery charges that could send him to prison for life under California’s “three strikes” law.
Following a preliminary hearing Tuesday in South Bay Municipal Court in Torrance, Commissioner Douglas Carnahan ordered Jerry Dewayne Williams, 27, of Los Angeles, held to answer on charges of second-degree robbery and felony petty theft with a prior conviction. Williams, who has pleaded not guilty to the charges, is in custody in county jail in lieu of $100,000 bail.
Police said Williams and some friends took the New York-style pepperoni pizza from the children, ages 7 to 14, as they sat outside a seaside pizza restaurant on July 30. The manager called police, who arrested Williams nearby.
According to court records, Williams has accumulated four felony convictions since 1987, for robbery, attempted robbery, drug possession and joy riding. Under the “three strikes” law passed earlier this year, anyone convicted of a felony who has two or more prior serious felony convictions must be sentenced to 25 years to life in prison.
Arraignment for Williams has been set for Aug. 30.
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