Two Charged in Fast Food Gang Shooting Back in Court Wednesday

Two men charged in connection with the shooting of a man at a fried chicken restaurant in Pasadena in December will be back in court Wednesday for a preliminary hearing, the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office announced.

Deputy District Attorney Stefan Mrakich of the Hardcore Gang Division said Robert Julio Arnaud, aka Chucky, 27, of Los Angeles, was charged with one count of attempted murder for allegedly shooting at two men at the restaurant’s parking lot on December 29, 2015.

One of the victims sustained a gunshot wound in the leg but survived. The other escaped unharmed.

Co-defendant Andy Garcia, aka Flaco, 32, of Azusa, was charged with one count of accessory after the fact, knowledge of crime. He is accused of helping Arnaud the day after the crime by disposing of evidence, the district attorney’s office said.

Both men were arraigned in January at the Los Angeles County Superior Court in Pasadena.

If convicted as charged, Arnaud faces a possible maximum penalty of 55 years to life in state prison. Garcia faces 25 years to life in state prison.

Bail for Arnaud is set at more than $2 million and more than $1.5 million for Garcia.

The DA’s office said both defendants committed the crime on behalf of a criminal street gang and that they were both convicted in 2008 of assault with a deadly weapon. The complaint alleges Arnaud used a handgun in the commission of the crime, and that Garcia also was convicted of attempted robbery in 2004