LOS ANGELES – A 38-year-old man has pleaded not guilty to charges that he robbed elderly women who had just withdrawn money from their banks, the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office announced. Dewayne Taylor was charged with five counts of second-degree robbery and two counts of elder abuse.

He entered his plea two weeks ago and is expected to return to court Dec. 3 for preliminary hearing setting.

Deputy District Attorney Michelle Dodd of the Elder Abuse Section said Taylor robbed an 85-year-old woman on Sept. 26 as she walked back to her South Los Angeles home from a bank.

Taylor fled in a car after he grabbed the woman’s purse, the prosecutor added.

The victim was injured after she ran up to the vehicle, tried to open the door and fell as Taylor sped away.

Several days later, Taylor is accused of robbing a 67-year-old woman in the 3000 block of 10th Avenue after she took money out of her bank. Taylor stole the woman’s purse, pushed her to the ground and drove away, the prosecutor said. The woman suffered minor injuries.

The criminal complaint also alleges Taylor robbed another woman who is in her 60s on Jan. 13, 2012 in Marina del Rey. Taylor is accused of robbing two other women.

If convicted as charged, Taylor faces up to 16 years in state prison.

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Published: Nov. 27, 2014 - Volume 13 - Issue 33