3 Men to Stand Trial in Rampage, Shootout

Three men arrested last year after a three-hour, Old West-style rampage along Sepulveda Boulevard were ordered Friday to stand trial on an array of charges stemming from the robbery of a dentist’s office and an ensuing shootout with police.

Van Nuys Municipal Court Judge Michael Luros set Aug. 23 for the Superior Court arraignment of Lamonti and Michael Mitchell, who are brothers, and Charles Knight.

The Mitchell brothers and Knight are accused of storming a dental office in the 7300 block of Sepulveda Boulevard and robbing customers and office workers of cash and jewelry.

Witnesses said the gunmen pistol-whipped a doctor and a nurse.

Police arrived after a worker at a travel agency next door called 911, setting off a wild, bullet-punctuated chase along the crowded boulevard.

In the shootout, a security guard at an indoor swap meet was shot in the thigh and Michael Mitchell was also shot and wounded.

Luros ordered all three defendants to trial on charges of robbery and attempted murder on motorcycle officer Charles Wright.

Luros ordered two of the defendants to trial on an attempted murder count connected with the shooting of the security guard, Byron Reyes.

He dismissed the attempted murder charge against Lamonti Mitchell because he surrendered to police before his brother allegedly shot Reyes.

Luros also dismissed attempted murder counts on behalf of all three defendants against two other police officers.