People v. Salazar CA2/5

Filed 11/15/24 P. v. Salazar CA2/5 NOT TO BE PUBLISHED IN THE OFFICIAL REPORTS

California Rules of Court, rule 8.1115(a), prohibits courts and parties from citing or relying on opinions not certified for publication or ordered published, except as specified by rule 8.1115(b). This opinion has not been certified for publication or ordered published for purposes of rule 8.1115.

IN THE COURT OF APPEAL OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA

SECOND APPELLATE DISTRICT

DIVISION FIVE

THE PEOPLE, B335689

Plaintiff and Respondent, (Los Angeles County Super. Ct. No. MA084045) v.

VINCENTE SALAZAR, JR.,

Defendant and Appellant.

APPEAL from a judgment of the Superior Court of Los Angeles County, Kathleen Blanchard, Judge. Affirmed. Ashwini Mate, under appointment by the Court of Appeal, for Defendant and Appellant. No appearance for Plaintiff and Respondent.

I. INTRODUCTION

A jury found defendant Vincente Salazar, Jr. guilty of two counts of robbery in violation of Penal Code section 211. On appeal, defendant’s appointed counsel filed a brief pursuant to People v. Wende (1979) 25 Cal.3d 436 (Wende). We affirm.

II. FACTUAL BACKGROUND

On October 6, 2022, at approximately 8:00 p.m., Summer Roberts and Fabian Ramirez were walking along Olive Drive when they observed three people get out of a parked silver truck. One robber wore a neon pink mask and a white, long-sleeved shirt; another wore a neon green mask; and the third wore a black shirt and no mask. One robber demanded the victims’ belongings while another announced that he was armed. The robber in the white shirt took from the victims their phones and a bag. After the robbery, the three robbers got back in the truck and drove away. Roberts and Ramirez then called 911. Roberts was able to track the location of her phone and accompanied the police to the indicated location. The police located the truck and the three robbers, including defendant. Roberts and Ramirez identified defendant, who was wearing a white long sleeved shirt, as one of the robbers. Police officers searched the truck and found the victims’ property and two masks worn by the robbers.