Brew

Appellant Darren Edward Brew was convicted by a jury of two counts of robbery (Pen. Code, § 211 ) and one count of grand theft by larceny (§ 487, subd. 1). Additionally, in a bifurcated proceeding, the trial court found true allegations that appellant had suffered a prior felony conviction within the meaning of section 667, subdivision (a), and a prior prison term within the meaning of section 667.5, subdivision (b). Appellant appeals from the judgment of conviction.

I

On the evening of July 26,1990, Cherie Geiman was working as a cashier at the Thrifty Drug Store (Thrifty) in Millbrae. She saw appellant enter the store. She recognized him because he had been in the store a few days earlier and had introduced himself as a former employee. Geiman alerted the store’s assistant manager, Gary Shaw, to appellant’s presence and Shaw decided to keep an eye on him.

Nayna Patel was also working as a cashier at Thrifty’s that evening. Appellant approached Patel ostensibly for the purpose of buying a tape. He was standing “real close” to her, approximately two and one-half to three feet away. There was no counter or other barrier between them. Patel took some money from appellant…