Vargas

On March 4, 2000, Roberto Velasquez, Martina Saavedra, and Yolanda Ramirez were sitting in a parked rental car. Mr. Velasquez was in the driver's seat of the rented automobile. Defendant walked past the car. Defendant then ran back and pointed a gun at Mr. Velasquez. Mr. Velasquez testified, "[H]e pointed a gun [at] me and he told me, `Get out of the car.'" Defendant then said, "`Give me your money, your wallet.'" The keys were in the ignition of the car. At trial, Ms. Saavedra testified she believed the engine was still running. Mr. Velasquez testified the engine was not running when he got out of the car. Ms. Saavedra left her wallet in the car. Ms. Saavedra, Ms. Ramirez, and Mr. Velasquez got out of the car and walked away to call the police. When defendant got into the rented car, the engine was no longer running. Defendant attempted to start the car. Defendant moved the key around in the ignition causing a "grinding" noise and manipulated the stick shift back and forth. The rented car did not move. Defendant then got out of the car and quickly walked away.

Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department Detective Todd Anderson served a search warrant for defendant's residence on…