Two Robberies committed in Ventura Monday

The first one occurred about 6 p.m. at Giovanni's Restaurant. Two males in their early teens wearing black hooded sweatshirts and tan shorts entered the restaurant and approached the counter. One grabbed a tip jar and ran out. A restaurant worker, meanwhile, grabbed the second teen, but got away.

One of the alleged robbers fled the scene on foot and the other rode a bicycle.

Police have yet to find the suspects.

The second robbery occurred about 6:55 p.m. at Tanfastic. A man in his mid 20s wearing a green ski mask entered the business and pointed a silver handgun at the employee, demanding money. The employee gave the gunman an undisclosed sum of cash. The gunman then fled.

An employee of the business chased the robber, but lost sight of him.

The two robberies appear to be unrelated.

Immediately contacting a criminal defense lawyer is likely the most important thing you can do if you have been arrested for or charged with robbery or armed robbery.

Under California's 10-20-life law, a defendant may face an additional 10 years in prison for displaying a gun, 20 years for firing a fun and 25 years to life for causing serious injury to another person with a gun.

Robbery and armed robbery are felony offenses that can act as a "strike" under the state's Three Strikes Law, that can lead to greater penalties for future convictions.

If you are facing robbery or armed robbery charges and this is your third strike, you know how important your defense is. Contact Ventura County Criminal Defense Attorney Robert Helfend for an experienced lawyer with a proven record of success.