Two suspected gang members were ordered Wednesday to stand trial on charges of committing multiple robberies over three months in Coachella.
Brian Emmanuel Jamand, 25, and Jorge Alberto Rojas, 29, of Coachella, are accused of multiple robberies in Coachella from August to October of 2019.
Jamand has been charged with three felony counts of robbery and Rojas with four felony counts of robbery.
Rojas additionally will be held to answer to three felony counts of owning a firearm — a handgun — while being a convicted felon and narcotics addict.
They each also face firearm and criminal street gang sentence-enhancing allegations.
Following a preliminary hearing at the Larson Justice Center in Indio, Riverside County Superior Court Judge Anthony Villalobos found prosecutors presented sufficient evidence to warrant a trial on all charges.
Rojas and Jamand remain in custody and are scheduled to return to court Sept. 2 for a post-preliminary hearing.
During the preliminary hearing, it was explained that the two suspects allegedly robbed a Castaneda’s restaurant, a beauty store whose name was not disclosed, and a Chevron gas station together.
Rojas targeted the fourth location, a Del Taco restaurant, by himself, according to the felony complaint.
The locations of these four businesses was not specified beyond being located in Coachella.
Sheriff’s Deputy Derek Myers testified that, during the Castaneda’s robbery the two suspects approached the cash register, ordered a drink, then brandished a handgun at the cashier once the register was opened.
Sheriff’s Deputy Cameron James testified that it was Rojas who specifically utilized the handgun during the robberies.
During the hearing, Rojas’ attorney argued that the means used to identify his client was insufficient, and that the prosecution’s only solid claim to Rojas being the second alleged robber was testimony provided by Jamand.
Jamand was arrested on Oct. 8, 2019, when police searched his residence in the 51000 block of Calle Avila in Coachella. Rojas was arrested one day later on Tyler Street in Coachella.
Rojas is being held on $1.4 million bail at the Smith Correctional Facility in Banning.
Jamand is being held on $285,000 bail at the John Benoit Detention Center in Indio.