Man Gets 50 Years to Life in Robbery Ring

A North Hollywood man convicted of a “third strike” for conspiring with others to commit robberies in the Studio City area was sentenced Thursday to 50 years to life in state prison.

With the sentence handed down by Superior Court Judge Darlene Schempp, Alexander Hall, 27, must serve at least 42 years before he is eligible for parole, authorities said.

“It was an appropriate punishment given the defendant’s criminal record and the fact he conspired with others to commit a robbery,” said Deputy Dist. Atty. David Gelfound. “Mr. Hall was a gang member who had past offenses that involved violence.”

Hall and four other men touched off a three-hour police manhunt in January after they were pulled over driving a stolen minivan and fled into an upscale residential neighborhood in the 4300 block of Whitsett Avenue.

A search of the empty van turned up one loaded shotgun, a fake gun, several empty pillow cases and ski masks, which authorities said the men were planning use for robberies somewhere on Ventura Boulevard.

In addition to Hall, two men have pleaded guilty and are serving prison time in connection with the conspiracy. Two others believed to have been involved were never apprehended.