Two probationers accused of robbing a man and attempting to hold up a second victim near Riverside Municipal Airport were ordered Friday to stand trial.
Rene A. Menchaca, 39, and Frankie M. Serratos, 28, were both arrested within a couple of hours of allegedly committing the Aug. 19 robbery at the intersection of Monroe Street and San Vicente Avenue.
Following a preliminary hearing at the Riverside Hall of Justice, Riverside County Superior Court Judge O.G. Magno found there was sufficient evidence to warrant a trial for the pair on felony robbery and witness intimidation charges with a sentence-enhancing allegation of committing a crime for the benefit of a criminal street gang.
Magno scheduled a post-preliminary hearing arraignment for Jan. 7. Each defendant is being held in lieu of $1 million bail at the Robert Presley Jail in Riverside.
According to Riverside police Officer Ryan Railsback, Menchaca and Serratos were cruising the neighborhood a block south of the airport perimeter when they pulled next to the curb in a 1990s Toyota 4-Runner about 11 p.m. and the younger defendant allegedly jumped out and confronted a pedestrian.
Serratos pulled a handgun and, while Menchaca remained at the wheel of the SUV, forced the victim to hand over his wallet and other valuables, Railsback alleged.
He said the defendants then drove away but stopped a short time later in the same area and confronted another man on the street. Serratos allegedly attempted to rob the victim, but the man fled and called for help, according to Railsback.
A patrol officer obtained a description of the suspects and SUV, which he spotted about 1:40 a.m., stopped at the intersection of Monroe and Driftwood Drive, Railsback said.
Menchaca and Serratos were in the vehicle, and both were detained without a struggle. Railsback said the victims positively identified the pair.
According to court records, Menchaca has prior convictions for burglary and being a convicted felon in possession of a firearm. Serratos has priors for shoplifting and grand theft, records showed.