People v. Chilgevorkyan CA2/8

FACTS AND PROCEDURE

1. The Robbery On March 24, 2010, Sarkis Baldjyan was working as a dispenser at the Garden of Eden medical marijuana dispensary in North Hollywood, California. At approximately 2:00 a.m., appellants walked into the clinic. The lobby of the dispensary was separated from the rest of the dispensary by a secured metal door. Baldjyan was behind the metal door and could see into the lobby through a window. Sarkisyan reached through the window and tried to grab Baldjyan. Sarkisyan had a gun pointed at him. Baldjyan tried to back away and fell to the ground. Appellants told Baldjyan to “buzz them in” from the lobby, and Baldjyan complied. Sarkisyan had Baldjyan open the cash register and took the money from it. He also took Baldjyan’s wallet and cell phone and struck Baldjyan in the head with the gun. Both appellants took merchandise and other items from the clinic. They had Baldjyan buzz them out and left with black garbage bags containing the stolen items. Several officers had responded to a call that a robbery was taking place there. The prosecutor played surveillance video of the incident for the jury. Almost immediately after appellants exited the dispensary, the…