Bail set at $280,000 for 18-year-old accused of campus-area robberies
A Riverside man faces felony charges for three alleged attacks near UC Riverside, with a hearing scheduled for November 9 to determine if his bond can be reduced.
By Rosa Wojcik ·
Residents near the University of California, Riverside, face a new legal process after an 18-year-old man was held in jail this week on felony charges. Shareef Maki Pendergrass, a Riverside resident, pleaded not guilty to multiple counts of robbery and witness intimidation during an arraignment on Thursday.
Judge Gail O’Rane of Riverside County Superior Court kept Pendergrass in custody pending a $280,000 bond. His public defender has requested a bail reduction hearing for Nov. 9. The judge will consider various factors, including the defendant’s lack of prior criminal history, when deciding whether to lower the financial requirement for his release.
Pendergrass was arrested Monday following a joint investigation by the Riverside Police Department and UCR Police Department. The case stems from alleged incidents in the Canyon Crest quarter, a neighborhood located within a couple of miles of the university campus. Detective Steve Espinosa stated that most of the alleged activity took place in this specific area.
Police records indicate the first alleged incident occurred on the evening of Oct. 23. Espinosa said Pendergrass was riding a scooter when he approached a pedestrian in front of the Islamic Center of Riverside at 1038 Linden St. The suspect demanded money, and the victim believed he was armed with a handgun. The victim surrendered cash and other valuables before the suspect fled.
Within one to two hours, police said Pendergrass allegedly confronted another individual outside the Stonehaven Apartments at the intersection of Blaine Street and Canyon Crest Drive. In that instance, the suspect demanded money, but the victim did not have any to give. On the following Saturday at approximately 7:07 p.m., officers responded to a report of another robbery at the University Crest Apartments at 3130 Canyon Crest Drive. Espinosa noted that the circumstances of this incident were similar to the previous evening's events.
Authorities served a search warrant at Pendergrass’ apartment on Watkins Drive, a street just off campus. He was taken into custody without incident on Monday. Police did not identify the victims, and none were reported to have suffered injuries. Officials also declined to state whether Pendergrass was currently enrolled as a student at the university.
