Two Charged in Gang Shooting at Pasadena Fast Food Chicken Restaurant

Two men have been charged in connection with the shooting of a man at a fried chicken restaurant last week in Pasadena, the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office announced today.

Deputy District Attorney Stefan Mrakich of the Hardcore Gang Division said Robert Julio Arnaud, aka Chucky, 27, of Los Angeles, faces one count of attempted murder.

Co-defendant Andy Garcia, aka Flaco, 32, of Azusa, is charged with one count of accessory after the fact, knowledge of crime.

Garcia is scheduled for arraignment today in Department D of the Los Angeles County Superior Court, Pasadena Branch. Arnaud pleaded not guilty yesterday and is scheduled to return on Jan. 26 in Department J.

Case GA097819 includes allegations that both defendants committed their 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.

On Dec. 29, Arnaud allegedly confronted two men at the fast food restaurant parking lot and soon after opened fire, the prosecutor said. One victim escaped unharmed, the other was shot in the leg but survived, the prosecutor added.

Co-defendant Garcia is accused of helping Arnaud the day after the crime by disposing of evidence, Mrakich said.

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 case was investigated by the Pasadena Police Department.