Gang Member Convicted of 7-Month Robbery Spree

A 19-year-old Pacoima gang member who was shot and wounded last year by undercover Glendale police was convicted Friday of a seven-month armed robbery spree in the San Fernando Valley between that began in November 2010.

The Van Nuys Superior Court jury deliberated less than a day before finding David Cesar Santos guilty of eight counts, including six counts of second-degree robbery and one count each of assault on a peace officer and attempted second-degree robbery, according to Deputy District Attorney Garrett Dameron.

Jurors also found true gang and gun allegations.

Before the trial started, co-defendant Christopher Rosalio Morales, 23, pleaded no contest to seven counts of second-degree robbery and one count of attempted second-degree robbery.

Both men faceup to 45 years in state prison when they appear before Judge Martin Herscovitz for sentencing Nov. 2, according to the District Attorney's Office.

The two were , after Glendale police detectives conducting a surveillance operation in North Hollywood witnessed an armed robbery at Sylvan Street and Colfax Avenue.

They jumped in a Chrysler PT Cruiser after spotting the detectives, and Santos was wounded when police opened fire after he rammed the vehicle into a detective's car.