Robbery suspects plead not guilty

BURBANK — Three men and a woman pleaded not guilty Tuesday in Superior Count to stabbing a 52-year-old man in a home-invasion robbery and leading police on a high-speed pursuit through the city.

Roberto DeSantiago, 24, of San Fernando, Brad Holland, 27, of North Hollywood, Alejandro Rojas, 32, of Sylmar, and Jacqueline Santiago, 30, of Pacoima, appeared Tuesday in Burbank Superior Court, following their arrests early Sunday in the robbery and attempted murder of Daniel Moore, Judge Patrick Hegarty said.

DeSantiago, Holland, Rojas and Santiago were each charged with felony first-degree burglary, Rojas and Holland were charged with felony first-degree robbery, and DeSantiago and Holland were also charged with felony willful, deliberate and premeditated attempted murder, according to a criminal complaint.

The charges also say Holland and DeSantiago used a firearm during the robbery, Hegarty said. Both men have served time in prison for possession of methamphetamine and vehicle theft, according to the complaint.

Holland is also charged with using a knife to stab Moore during the home-invasion robbery, Hegarty said.

The robbery occurred at 1:50 a.m. Sunday at a home in the 2000 block of Monterey Avenue, Burbank Police Sgt. Travis Irving said.

“It was not a random robbery,” he said.

Moore was stabbed in his home during the robbery attempt, but his father and another man who were also in the house were not injured, Irving said. The four knew Moore and may have targeted him, Irving said.

Moore was taken to Providence St. Joseph Medical Center, where he remained Tuesday in stable condition, Irving said.

The only item reported missing from the home was a California identification card, Irving said.

The four were seen in a silver car, armed with guns and knives after the robbery, Irving said.

Police tried to stop the car, but the driver didn’t pull over and took off on a high-speed chase through the northeast section of Burbank, Irving said

During the chase, an officer crashed his patrol car into a tree and suffered moderate injuries, he said.

The officer was taken to a hospital and released Sunday morning, Irving said.

The pursuit continued for 10 minutes on city streets as speeds reached up to 50 mph, he said. Speed limits on city streets are 30 to 35 mph, Irving said.

One of the men jumped out of the car and fled on foot, but police caught up and arrested him, he said.

The three others remained in the car during the chase, which ended at 2 a.m. at Glenoaks Boulevard and Amherst Drive.

Santiago is charged with evading a peace officer and reckless driving.

The four remained jailed and are scheduled to appear in court Dec. 29.