People v. Cortez CA2/6

FACTS

On Christmas Eve, Mohsen Ali was the manager of the General Needs Company store. He testified that the store had a pink toy car for sale. Christina Davalos and Cortez entered the store together. Davalos wanted to buy the toy car with a 50 percent discount and pay $199. But the sale price for the car was $399. Ali was willing to give Davalos a 5 percent discount. Davalos placed between $220 and $240 cash on the counter and took the car without “permission.” She left the store. Ali went outside to try “to bring the car back.” He and Davalos both held onto the car. Ali told her to bring it back and he would not call the police. Cortez “pushed” him away, and Davalos left with the car. After Davalos and Cortez left the store, they put the toy car on “top” of a pickup truck. They were accompanied by two men and they left. Ali called the police. Officer Ramzi Raad arrived and viewed a surveillance video of the incident. He recognized Cortez and Davalos. He knew that they frequently visit a “transient encampment.” When he arrived there, he saw Cortez with the toy car and arrested her for robbery. While in custody, Raad interviewed Cortez after advising her of her Miranda rights. He…